Peace Like a River

I have peace like a river.  It is in my soul.  Just last week, Mark and I celebrated 20 years of marriage.  I have come such a long way since that faithful day where I gave my hand and heart to this tall man of few words.  He wanted to take me on a beautiful trip or do something out of the ordinary.  The only thing that I wanted to do was to float down our creek in an old canoe.  He could hardly believe that it was that simple for me.  Yes.  That simple.  I really have all I need, all I ever dreamed, all the happiness, joy, peace, and love.  I feel rich in all that matters the most.

As I looked back at him in that canoe, I was transported to the day the Lord revealed to me that he was the one I would marry at a time I did not want to be in a relationship.  If I had to be a help meet to a man he had to fit my criteria.  I prayed.  I told God what it had to be.  How presumptuous!  I mean, I told God.  I did not even like him.  As we entered that canoe some 22 years ago, I never knew the next time we would enter a canoe would be last week after faithfully serving and loving each other, having 5 beautiful children, and all the things God brought us through so that we could experience such a deep understanding of what it means to be free and to truly be loved.

I saw him sitting there.  He looked the same as he did so long ago.  Neither one of us changed much it seems.  We still feel young but our years have been like the ripening of a good wine.  I guess we understand each other so much.  It was true peace.  As our paddles skimmed the water, I felt the peace of God flow over me.  We did not talk.  We just took in the presence of God through nature.  I have never felt so nourished in my spirit.  Those 2 most beautiful hours on the water, the journey through the turns and random sections of the creek, were some of the best 2 hours of my life as I look back.

Actually, I felt reset.  I felt like the world and all time that goes with it stood still as the water gently lapped against our boat.  The paddles we held in hand would occasionally dip into the water and you could hear the swish and drops of water over the river.  The breeze was pulling my hair across my neck like a soft tickle.  Around one bend you could see the light of the sun shimmer off the ripples in the water.  It was like a thousand brilliant facets of a diamond.  I caught each and every ray of light in my eye and I wanted to photograph it but the water pulled us so fast that I could only get that moment by sight. I  could not pull out the camera fast enough nor would the camera do it justice.

Some moments are meant to just see and feel.  

Some moments are not meant for everyone else to see.

The silence between us was to us, in that private moment, the loudest praise.  As the deer was drinking from the creek, we sat in awe of God and all he created for his glory.

So often in scripture you will find the peace of the water.

Revelation 21:6 – And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Isaiah 44:3 – For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Revelation 22:17 – And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Psalms 23:2 – He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

What does Science say about water and how it effects us…

Negative Ions are a brought forth in nature as air molecules that break apart through the moving of air, the rays of the sun, and through water. You have experienced this force when you walk beneath a waterfall or when you sit beside the rolling waves of the sea.  These negative ions are in higher concentration near bodies of water.  In our fast pace society we experience effects of positive ions with the electromagnetic frequencies.  The artificial light, living in the confines of homes powered with electricity, working in buildings in the city surrounded by concrete, many people actually do not realize that they are depleting the production of serotonin.  Serotonin is your happy hormone and interestingly enough, is enhanced and freed by the presence of these negative ions in the environment.

It is proven that people who live beside the water on the coast of the sea, beside a creek or river, or on a lake are found to have longer life. These people struggle far less with anxiety and depression.

I found that I had such a peaceful feeling around me for the next 48 hours after that beautiful boat ride down the river.  I knew it was a full body reset.  I actually felt completely restored in my soul from years of pain and emotional stress that I endured.  The feeling of freedom I captured that day was so profound and therapeutic that I have decided to make sure to get near the water at least several times each week.

I plan to have my husband build us a water feature in our backyard one day.  My father is a waterscape artist and created the most natural looking water features.  These features had waterfalls and fish swimming around with little plants growing.  I know it has been so incredibly good for my father’s health over the years to sit there and refresh his mind from his busy lifestyle.

There are ways that you can can take time to reset.

• Take a Bath.  Baths are proven to relax and restore you especially if you light some candles, use essential oils, and listen to instrumental soft music.
• Drink plenty of water.  It is so good for you.  It helps your joints, circulation, you skin health, and all your organs.
• Find a Water Feature near you.  Go for a walk next to a lake, river, or creek.  Sit down near the water and just be still.  Listen to the water and absorb the molecules.
• Make a water feature.  Have a little portable water fountain in your home or a fish tank.  The moving water, even if it is on a small scale will bring balance to your system.

Take time to reset, feel free.  Relax.  Decompress.  Heal.  Spend time with your family just talking and breathing life into one another.  Read your bible.  Bask in God’s presence.