No
River Alone
It
was 5 AM in mid-July at a camp ground on eastern border of Washington State and
Idaho. I’d slipped out of bed quietly so as not to waken husband Bill. With
great anticipation I grabbed my camera to catch the sunrise over the beautiful
Pend Oreille River.
I
wondered as I made my way to the edge of the cliff overlooking the river, what message
the Lord would have for me today. So often I have discovered He has a lesson
for me in the parables of His creation.
I
looked up into the sky for Osprey or the local Bald Eagle, and neither was
there. I gazed down upon the river and smiled in delight―for coming out of the
reeds along the river were eight little goslings were hesitantly wading into
the shallows of the river. But they weren’t alone, in front of the flock of
these beautiful Canadian Geese is mother goose and behind gooslings is father
goose giving the last little hesitant gosling a nudge into the water.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way
you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
NIV
The
goslings instinctively gathered close together as they dipped one by one into
the quiet river’s edge. Like feathered body guards, the parents act as a shield
from predators as they swim before and behind their young. The goslings can swim
in confidence, they know they never face the river alone.
Sometimes
life is smooth paddling in safe, familiar waters for us and our families and
friends; but quite often we find ourselves trying to swim in unfamiliar and challenging
rivers of unexpected circumstances. In those times it’s good to remember Who is
watching over us too.
Parents
of the goslings know strength and courage isn’t built in the shallows and safe
harbors of the rivers. And it’s so true for us too. If we put our trust in the promises
of the Lord we are assured He’ll provide for us the best river guide we’ll ever
need, a heavenly wise and able Teacher― His Holy Spirit.
In
the glow of the sunrise, in the whisper of the winds in the reeds along the
river where little goslings adventure for the first time, is God’s magnificent promise,
His lesson for the day ―we will never face our rivers alone.
“No
River Alone” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© July 4, 2014
reprinted April 14, 2015
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