Road trip to Branson, MO with the in-laws with a stop outside of Cassville to look in on the Roaring River and Trout Hatchery. It was a lovely day; the kind of day I wish came around more often.
I love to watch the kids explore a new area- the way they chase butterflies, climb trees, notice oddly shaped rocks. They love the outdoors and I love to be with them as their eyes are opened to God’s beautiful creation.
We walked along the river’s edge, watching the fishermen cast and catch, cast and catch. After being cooped in the car for hours, it felt good to stretch and run. Although the temperature was oppressive in the sun, when standing at the mouth of the this cavern, the air was cool and crisp.
And it reminded of me love. Standing in God’s love is so refreshing, a relief from the heat of the world. The waters of His love are never ending; why would we turn our backs and wander in the wilderness looking for refreshment elsewhere?
This little placard explains that this cavern, this natural spring feeding into the Roaring River, has never been fully explored. Divers have only been able to go so deep and then they must turn back. Deep. Bottomless. We can only go so far into His presence and receive so much while our feet are planted on this earth. We won’t find the end.
And there’s enough of His love to go around. Not one of us can quench the flow. We can’t be too greedy with His love, His mercy, His attention. In fact, I hope I will someday be called “co-dependent” on Him. His love roars over creation, over His people and we can stand in the floodwaters, fearless. He will not abandon us. We are safe. Protected. Loved.
- 232. faithful friends
- 233. steam rising from the rim of the coffee cup
- 234. windows open, house cooling from outside’s breeze
- 235. the love of a husband
- 236. holding his hand
- 237. having his heart
- 238. my mom’s birthday- wishing her happiness from afar
- 239. school break just around the corner
- 240. bagels and cream cheese for breakfast
- 241. the last day of our neighborhood pool, a day to splash before Fall arrives
- 242. the friendship of my mother-in-law
- 243. shadow boxes beginning to fill with captured bugs and spiders
- 244. warm bodies of my children, arriving in my bed while I sleep
- 245. communion