“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
What a great week in the Colorado mountain town of Silverthorne. Peaceful, peaceful, peaceful. My husband and I are blessed to have two to three weeks a year in this beautiful spot surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes and hiking/biking trails. We enjoy every minute. And we don’t turn on our TV. We only have internet to watch movies and share pictures of the beauty God has created all around us.
We spend time together and apart. Keith likes to fish. I like to sit by the Blue River, pray, think and write. I love a certain stretch of that body of water where I can just be one with the river in my mind and soul (way too fast and cold to actually get in). When the week ends and it is time to go home, I always balk. I have the same conversation with God each year at this time.
“Father, I don’t want to go back to the traffic, the congestion, the crippling city atmosphere. I love my life. I love my family. I love my work. But can’t I just stay here, on this river with you?”
Like a parent talking to a small child, He assures me that He understands how I feel but I must return to where I’m assigned to do His work.
“I am more than grateful Father that Keith and I can spend time in this beautiful place. Thank you, thank you. Can I stay a little longer please?”
“A little longer daughter.”
I relax and lean against a large rock sitting on a wooden platform on the river bank. This is my secret place, off the path and hidden by tall grass. I watch the waves dancing and sparkling while using energy to jump heavenward. Then they collapse into trust in the outcome of a journey they didn’t define. I turn my face to the sun’s warmth and breathe in serenity. A cloud rolls over. It’s time to go.
“God, I just want to stay here with you, by this river, by this rock. I’m content here, Lord. Sometimes I’m terrified down there.”
“I am your rock child. I am the water of your soul. And I go with you where ever you go. Do not fear. I go with you.”
Streams of sunlight break through the gathering cloud wall and bathe the water on its way to the appointed destination. I smile, let go of my earthly rock and move on to my own appointed destination. I know the water I leave behind is only physical. The living water I take with me will accompany me always, without cease, to give me strength, courage and peace.
Copyright July 2017
Laura L. Padgett
Lakewood, Colorado
Connect with me on Twitter @lauraleepadgett or my Facebook Author Page
Check out the books I have published:
“Dolores, Like the River,” available at Westbow Press, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and all major online retailers.
The award-winning “Jesus in Shorts: Twenty-five Shorts Stories of Life-Changing Jesus Moments,” available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
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