I recently listened to some oldie music hits, among them Moon River. It started me thinking about the fascination we have with rivers. In my hometown, we LOVE our river. I’ve already expounded on that—a lot. But there always seems to be more. And, as I look at Facebook, everybody else posts photos and videos as often as I do it myself. Rivers run through us.
Wider than A Mile
I think Moon River must have been written about the Mississippi River, because it’s known for being a mile wide. However, our Columbia in the Great Northwest (God’s Country, after all), is also a mile wide. The Columbia is a much brisker moving river. It doesn’t drift much, it runs and it has a shifty bottom where it opens into the Pacific Ocean. The wild Spokane River races into it.
Yet, a river that is wider than a mile has a soothing effect upon our souls. When I travel alongside the river, I watch it. When I pause to take a breather from driving, lots of other folks are stopped and just looking at the water. Though the waters move swiftly, rest to the soul occurs. Maybe somewhere deep in the bowels of our core, it’s reminiscent of the waters of the River of Life that flows from the Throne of God? We can’t get enough.
Crossing In Style
I wonder what crossing the river in style might be all about? In the old days on the Mississippi, riverboats constituted a whole way of life. The essence of style, fashion, society, and the decadence of gambling—while looking elegant.
The Queen of the West on the Columbia is a paddle river boat reminiscent of the old Queens of the Mississippi. One day, I will take a tour on board.
While this might be considered style, I think some other words might apply to this yearning: words such as grace, charm, flair, design, quality, character and form. As we move in the streams of living, we need God’s grace so our character and form may grow as He has designed us—to be more like Him. As we become more like Him, then we show charm as we consider others and flair as we use our God-given talents. This is true quality. This is style.
We’ll all cross the river one day. Let’s do it in style.
“Moon River, wider than a mile, I’m crossing you in style someday…”
“But there the majestic Lord will be for us. A place of broad rivers and streams,” Isaiah 33:21.
Thanks Linda! Love the Isaiah verse–“a place of broad rivers and streams.” Thank you for this beautiful reminder!
I love thinking about that “place of broad rivers and streams” even as I stand above the rivers and watch their beauty and action. God is always moving!
A place of broad rivers and streams, indeed, Linda Jo. I love the Columbia River – a brilliant masterpiece of Elohim’s, eh? I, too, love the sound of rushing water. When I pass by a river, fountain, or stream, I always take a grace break – I do a heart check and ask God who I need to forgive! And then I pause to extend them grace.
I love the Columbia River, too. And yes, definitely a brilliant masterpiece of Elohim. Our Spokane River over here is racing over itself with falls, rocks and runoff. It’s beautiful and has a roar that sounds so comforting. It runs into the Columbia. God’s Country for sure!