This summer we took a boat trip from Snape. A small boat only setting off on a rising tide. Travelling with our grandchildren meant that although moving through beautiful Suffolk countryside, with birds living close to the water’s edge we remained vigilant with the occasional hand on a cardigan or coat to ensure the safety of our small charges.
The navigable channel meandered and took turnings, mapped out by withies, young saplings planted in the mud to prevent the skipper from the risk of running aground. Keeping to the designated route meant safety and security knowing that all was well.
It made me consider that each day tides would rise and fall but within the safe times a path of safety remains. I was reminded that daily we face frustrations and annoyances, joys and laughter which we deal with, sometimes well and sometimes less so. At times feeling buoyed by the presence and knowledge of God in our lives, aware of the Holy Spirit and our journey of faith feels easy and swift following the current which takes us along giving us a sense that we are moving the right way. At other times the tide goes out, and it feels hard to know God with us, we sense a silence, that God is saying nothing, the quiet unnerves and worries us.
But it is all part of the natural ebb and flow with good days and bad days as we face both easy and hard experiences in life, and changing awareness of God in our lives. Normally the tide remains within expected parameters, but occasionally there is an especially high or low tide taking out additional reeds and grasses or exposing mud flats previously not visible.
I wondered about the withies, markers keeping us following the right way, not the obvious or expected one but the one that is safe and right. And I considered what the markers might be prayer, silence, reading the Bible. Also, words spoken into our life. The words that resonate and give a better understanding of God, or words that encourage, uplift, support and offer acceptance. Or the listening of others and being heard and known.
So, I wondered about the people that have been for us withies, those who have directed us in our family, our work, our relationship with God. Who have encouraged us, given us an example showing a way forward. The people who have said the right word in the moment.
Perhaps we meet might impact and encourage those we encounter to remain on an even keel by words or by silence, maybe we might be markers for others. It could be that we do not know way that the Holy Spirit has worked within us or spoken through us.
Paul was able to say in Philippians 4:9 ‘Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you’
A prayer
God of the ebb and flow, we follow the path you call us to travel and know that in Jesus we have been given the perfect markers for our journey. May we give thanks for the guidance of those who stand in our memory as a reflection of you. We pray that we might encourage and support those who journey alongside us for brief moments or through many years. Amen