This past Monday, I took the day off. Life has been busy, and I needed a moment to breathe. After driving Jack to his preschool, I drove south to St. Francois State Park, my favorite place to fish.

The park’s entrance twists down a long and steep, heavily wooded slope before reaching the valley floor and the Big River. The canopy arching over the river coupled with cool, spring-fed waters can make a sweltering summer day feel perfectly pleasant. Despite its name, the Big River is not big or wide. Where the waters run briskly over shallow, rocky riverbeds, the current undercuts the tree roots on the bank’s edge. These undercuts are the perfect ambush point for smallmouth bass. Armed with a long, flexible fishing rod and light tackle, the right lure can be skipped with precision like a rock across the river to an undercut.

When you wade, you really get to know the river. You move slowly, stalking as you go, feeling the bottom changing from hard and rocky to sandy and soft. Warm, deep, slow-moving waters can suddenly turn chilly when you discover one of the river’s many springs. A wade fisherman finds fishing spots others can’t reach from the shore.

Twenty-five years ago, I could wade down river within 100 yards of the access point and catch two dozen fish in a couple hours. But the river changes from visit to visit, season to season, and year to year. Flood waters have washed sediment down river, sometimes overpowering charming bends into dull, sandy straightaways. Over time I have begun wading further and further downstream to find fish. My old fishing spots are gone. This past Monday, I only caught three fish.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (New International Version, Isaiah 43:18-19)

Disappointment in a slow fishing day kept me from realizing God’s amazing gift. For the first time in my long history with the river, the changes to its shape make it possible to wade upriver. The Big River stretches for three miles through St. Francois State Park, and I am excited to see what God has created.

Like a river, our church also changes over time. Thanks to the dedicated efforts and generosity of members and staff, we now broadcast services online, share our mission and promote events on an electronic signboard, and create new revenue streams through 10 West Lockwood. We continue with joy to welcome new families into our growing faith community. We have so much to be thankful for.

Be on the lookout for the new opportunities that God blesses us with!

Doug Barton, Moderator