Has anyone ever been to Valley Falls between Grafton and Fairmont (in West Virginia)? It is a nice place...
The Tygart River flows peacefully downstream, until the river narrows and you go over the first set of falls... Then, it becomes whitewater by the park, and would be a wild ride in a kayak. Even downstream from the park, its not quite as bad, but there are still large boulders in the river and some really fast water. Eventually as you go further downstream to Colfax, the river widens out, and becomes shallow and slow moving.
It reminds me of life sometimes. We go through life minding our own business, when something happens... Could be loss of a job, loss of a loved one, a tragedy like 9/11, or something else... It smooths out some, and everyone relaxes a little. But it's not quite over, and we get pushed back in... Then finally it is over, and we go back to life, always keeping in mind what happened. But, even though everything is crashing in on us, God is always with us, if we turn to Him.
Psalms 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
8 Come and see the works of the LORD ,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
Psalms 56
1 Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me;
all day long they press their attack.
2 My slanderers pursue me all day long;
many are attacking me in their pride.
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?