A voyageur paddle on the South Saskatchewan River gave me wonderful spirit-related metaphors.
The direct, no-nonsense drive to our launching site wasn’t up to much. But the river trip that wound between muddy banks and steep clay cuts that resembled layer cakes was inspiring.
We relaxed as we found our place in the canoe, and assumed a paddle rhythm. Time to stop worrying about our inabilities, and count our blessings; cloudy overhead, current moving with us and light wind behind.
The three canoes were like island communities, sometimes set apart from each other, sometimes flowing together. Each discovered its own identity as strangers worked together, laughed together, slogged through the mud together, and exchanged stories.
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Diverse interests and outlooks broadened our awareness. Ahead of me, a recently retired teacher talked about explorations she’d enjoyed with her students. Behind, birders with earphones attached to their hats saw and identified incredible numbers of shorebirds, raptors and cliff dwellers.
Seated behind them, a retired farmer took videocam pictures to show in seniors’ lodges. Sharing his seat was a woman who came to the Canadian Nature Federation’s conference because of this trip.
“I’m not up to much paddling,” she said. “I’ll do my best. But if there’s an emergency you’ll have to take over.”
The young man in charge knew about water and canoes, and worked hard to be accommodating. The organizer encouraged our stories.
What a metaphor for life: with the wonders of nature to remind us of the God-given gifts that surround us; and an eight-hour community of strangers who were able to help each other see with their eyes, with their hearts, and with their memories.
“Enter the temple beautiful, the church not made by human hands. Rainwashed and green, wind-swept and clean, beneath the blue it stands. And no cathedral anywhere seemeth so lovely nor so fair.”
Joyce Sasse is a retired United Church minister and author who lives in Pincher Creek, Alta. Her writings can also be found at www.agri-ville.com/spiritualvignettes.
