Sitting by the water’s edge waves crush
I tune in as the waves slurp the rocks
I listen as the swell crushes at the ragged shore
Moving in and moving out
One moment they punch the jagged rocks
And next a peaceful flow covers like a blanket of snow
Until….
Another surge lifts the white cap and bursts, not only on the rocky shore, but the wooden dock
Forced to float by the pressure
Moved, not in the normal direction but in opposite way
As the waters rip the dock the undercurrent pulls towards the open sea
The heat from the sun warms my face
I listen to the waves crash against the rocks
And think of the goodness of God
He is good when the waves roll high or low
Even when I don’t understand
The goodness overtakes the bad when I hear the sound of waves
Calming my soul like a mother snuggling her child
My God is in the waves as they crash to the shore I do not fear
For I know he created me and he knows my inner parts
He seeks me out to reveal his Presence
Even in the pains of life, they may beat and they may push
But they will not destroy
As the rocks along the shore have not moved from the constant pounding of waters
God changes not
His love and mercy remain
The sunshine warms my tired heart and my face glows in the sun
Time to rest
Time to seek the peace that flows in the soul
The One who covers my life
Sometimes the waves come loud and gushing
Or sweet and soft tender
Washing away the dirt and grime of the day
Waters cleanse the debris that hang in its way
The trees green
The leaves still strong hanging on the branches, colorful and bold
Hang on tight
The tree that’s planted by the waters will grow and flourish
The tree that stands in the dry desert may look withered and dead to me
But the roots will gather water from far away
I gaze around and behold the black ash tree

filled with bundles of berries, red and ripe
Wondering what the berries hold, what mysteries inside
The cluster of the red as they hang so low towards the ground they go
Consider the secret of the redness
In clusters like grapes yet uneatable
Its branches support the berries for now
Until the weight forces them to drop to the earth
Seasons change….
Snow covers the berries on the ground
With winter comes the cold
The least favorite season of all but my soul seeks the Presence
Where God’s warmth covers the cold
Through storms regardless of rain, snow, hail, or even a tornado or two
You wash my soul in the warmth of your everlasting love
My heart lingers after your peace as I seek you this day
Let the words of my mouth flow from your heart
May the peace flow over me as I listen to the flow
Back and forth
In and out
My heart hears you today
Thank you Lord I am with you in your place
Where the words of life fill my heart with your goodness
Where peace like a river floods my soul
Where the mystery of red
Reveals the blood of God’s Son shed on the cross for me
