A few weeks back our whanau got to experience a river swim in the Waihopai River, while visiting family at the Top of the South. We had been hopeful of a river swim earlier in the day when we’d packed our picnic lunch and togs in expectation. Our picnic spot was idyllic, but when we went in search of the river, we found that it had dried up to a trickle! Not only that, we saw a dead possum sitting in the small piece of water that still remained. The water was stagnant- there was no flow at all. Time for a rethink and a bit of a drive to find a swimmable location…
The water at Waihopai was shallow in places but flowing swiftly. Swimming in the deeper pools was refreshing. Trying to pull yourself against the current was impossible. I don’t think I’ve heard Adelaide laugh so much in a long time as when she was trying to swim against the strong current. Hosea hoisted some boulders around, redirecting the flow of the water. From my vantage point lazing on the river stones, I reflected about some of the ‘big stones’ in my life and the importance of redirection, going with the flow and keeping in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
Last Sunday in our church service we took a moment to listen to Hollie Smith singing ‘Bathe in the River’ and I was instantly transported back to this refreshing moment in the Waihopai. I’ve enjoyed listening to the song again this week and looking over the lyrics (I also came across a lovely Te Reo version). So refreshing!!