A River Runs Through Me....

Most of my family left for the Ozarks today, leaving me and my Son, Carden at home feeling sorry for ourselves because we have to work. They are going down to meet relatives and float the Niangua River. I miss being with them, but I am glad they are getting to go.

I miss the river. I miss it's smell, it's colors, it's movement, it's peace. I want to lay on my back in a canoe and watch the tops of sycamore trees glide by as I drift downstream. I want the cold, spring water to steal my breath. I want to jump off a bluff. I want to play tag with a craw-daddy. I want to look at herons and hawks. I want a snake to jump start my heart. I want to find the perfect flat rock and make it tap dance across the water. I want to be born again. I miss the river.

Someone wise said: You never step in the same river twice. That is true. That can be good or bad I guess, depending on where you are in life. Life, like a river, keeps on going. It is easier to go with the current than constantly fight it, that is for sure. Maybe that is why God made rivers, to teach us something about Himself and what it means to live in the flow of His Spirit.

So, I am missing the river tonight, but in my heart I am in it, drifting along with the current, following the warm light of the moon reflecting off the dark water. I wonder if it is missing me?

Things I Still See When I Close My Eyes

Things I still see when I close my eyes:

Cascading streams of reds and purples falling to dark green fields and
skinny legs running from flashing strobes and
a wagon full of alfalfa rolling to the barn and
sweat dripping on my shoes and
stupid grins and open hymnals and
tears dripping on I Corinthians 13 and
a wiser young preacher trembling out the words and
baptized ribs smoking over charcoal and
dirty plates stained with blackberry juice and
faces fresh and smooth and
faces wearing days and
eyes full of good byes and
a road that leads to home and
another holy day gone through us.