Meditations with Pastor Tom (5/8/20)

"He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul." ~ Psalm 23:2-3

            My wife and I like to drive through some fast food joint, grab something to eat, and head out to the Norwalk Reservoir to eat our lunch.  We have done this for years, but now we do it with much greater frequency, at least once a week.  We always park as near as we can to one of the large bodies of water and soak in the environment. I love this time. 

            We bathe in the peacefulness, soak in the gentle lapping of the waves, and let the fresh air wash through our lungs.  We delight in watching the cormorants dive bomb for a meal, the fish that occasionally jump out of the water, and the geese gliding over the expanse.  This week, we were thoroughly entertained by a heron strolling stealthily along the water's edge.  We learned that when the heron curled his neck down toward its body, a strike was soon coming.  Nearly each strike brought him another small fish which was quickly dispatched down the heron's thin throat.  We marveled at the bird's efficiency and the capacity of its stomach to hold all those fish.

            Our conversation is always more quiet and gentle as we deliberately step away from the stresses of day-to-day living.  Nearly every time we go there (I do go alone sometimes), we come away refreshed, our souls restored.  That quiet time resting near the still (or still enough) waters of the Norwalk Reservoir quiets any agitation that may be stirring in my mind. 

            We are living in anxious and uncertain times. We had stress before, for sure. But, now we have this pandemic that has rocked our world in ways we've never known.  Still waters for our soul are just the thing we need.  I am not talking about retreating from life or hiding our heads in the sand.  I'm just saying that all of us could benefit from finding that space in our lives where we can renew our minds and spirits. 

            Truly, there is a quiet, still place deep within us.  Finding and reconnecting with that place grants us access to the God-provided still waters; no physical water is really necessary.  I pray that you will take the time to find your still water space.  Let God lead you to your center of deep peace, and I know your soul will be restored.

The Sermon this Sunday

Hope for even this Mother's Day.