Floating Through Summer

The red tailed hawk soared effortlessly over the Current River canyon. This was her terrain. Soon she would return to her nest in a tree anchored in the bluff below. A hoarse raspy screech announced her displeasure with the intruders.

Wally Brown pushed the last flat bottom boat into the stream. He smiled upon hearing the piercing scream from the hawk  circling overhead. The youth group from his church had embarked on a week long journey down this scenic waterway. An avid outdoorsman, this youth minister loved sharing the beauty of God’s creation with the teens in his congregation.

It was to be a week long feast for the senses: the blinding reflection of the sun on the river’s glassy surface; the telltale sound of splashing water as it moved over obstacles in its path, alerting us to rapids up ahead; feet coming into contact with the shockingly cold underwater springs that fed the river; the comforting smell of the campfire as we gathered around for stories and songs; the refreshing taste of spring fed water and the joy of supplementing a week’s supply of freeze-dried food with watercress salads harvested straight from the spring waters.

One night, our group camped on a gravel bar that marked a fork in the river.  Girls on one side of the gravel bar, boys on the other.  Although we had tents, most of the group chose to sleep under the stars.  A rain storm blew in and everyone took refuge in the tents.  The next morning we woke up to discover new springs of water coming out of the sides of the gravel bar. Luckily, our boats had been tied to trees the night before. The river rushing past the gravel bar promised new adventures and a swift ride.

At the end of the week, we were physically fatigued but spiritually renewed, all thanks to a youth minister who had shown us how to connect the dots between the beauty of creation and the beauty of the Creator who designed it all.

This week’s song selection is one I’ve enjoyed for many years. Sometimes, when I sing this song, I imagine I am singing it to Jesus. Rubber Soul is probably my favorite Beatles album because it marked their transition from pop stars to true artists.

“In My Life” is a song by the Beatles released on the 1965 album Rubber Soul, written mainly by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song originated with Lennon, and while Paul McCartney contributed to the final version, he and Lennon later disagreed over the extent of his contributions (specifically the melody). George Martin, who produced the recording, contributed the instrumental bridge. (editor’s note: a rare harpsichord track) It is ranked 23rd on Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” as well as fifth on their list of the Beatles’ 100 Greatest Songs. The song placed second on CBC’s 50 Tracks. Mojo magazine named it the best song of all time in 2000.

Rubber Soul is the sixth studio album by English rock band the Beatles. It was recorded in just over four weeks to make the Christmas market, and was released on 3 December 1965. Unlike the five albums that preceded it, Rubber Soul was recorded during a continuous period, whereas the group had previously made their albums during breaks between tour dates and other commitments.  The project also marked the first time that the Beatles focused on creating an album as an artistic work, an approach that they then developed with Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band over 1966–67.