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Peace Like a River

   
     The sun was just peeking through the clouds when I decided I would go out for an early morning walk. The air was crisp and still quite cool. Since it was early enough that not too many people would be out, I decided to go to the ravine. The trail is narrow and does not lend itself to social distancing later in the day when more people are out walking.
 
     This has been my safe space, familiar and calming. Memories of walks with Julius are a soothing companion. It is almost 7 years since he is gone. The landscape has changed some. The bulrushes are much taller, the wooden bridge re-built and the signposts worn and faded. A favourite tree uprooted and lying down after a storm brought it down some years ago.

     The sights and sounds of Spring were everywhere. The green blades of grass are visible as they force their way up. The forest was up early and busy. In these days of isolation, the constant hum or roar of traffic has died down and bird calls were loud, somehow urgent.

     The path to the river was open and so I decided to take a side trail to get to it. The Don river must be in spate upstream because the water was up to the banks here and was rushing downstream at a steady pace.

      I stopped for a moment and closed my eyes and listened. Ever since the COVID nightmare started, my mind has been in overdrive and weary. Too much screen time and too many conversations. It feels like I have filled every waking moment with more noise.

      But this noise was different - the river flowed smoothly, effortlessly for a while until the water hit rocks and branches and then the volume increased to make sweet music. I closed my eyes and listened to this symphony of sound that soothed my soul.

      "Peace like a river." This is God's promise to His people through the prophet Isaiah.  As I listened to the water splash and rush along, the reality of this promise overcame my anxiety and weariness of this pandemic.

      God has made a way for us to have peace with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. In order to have peace, we must have righteousness and the only way to have righteousness is through faith in Jesus Christ. "Seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near." (Is 55:6). Dear Reader, if you have not considered His invitation, do not delay. Read His Word and seek Him with all your heart and the peace that He offers can be yours. 

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