You can listen to this week’s Devotional here
Author: Carol Hasselbacher
(Dedicated to Julia Wirth)
Peace, I ask of thee, oh river, peace, peace, peace —
When I learn to live serenely, cares will cease.
From the hills I gather courage,
Vision of the day to be,
Strength to lead and faith to follow,
All are given unto me.
Peace, I ask of thee, oh river, peace, peace, peace1.
Picture a circle of small girls on their sit-upons2, comfortable around a welcoming campfire. Beyond their little circle, it’s dark and chilly and a bit scary, with the daytime-familiar trees strangely rustling and with occasional crackling noises in the underbrush. Above, the sky is vast, the deepest blue, and splashed with stars. But the fire is warm and protective. The flickering orange glow lights the friends’ faces as they sing.
Perhaps some of the girls plan daring escapades after the counselors tuck in for the night, adding an extra measure of excitement to the evening. Or maybe some are looking forward to sharing the treats in their backpacks with their tentmates as they laugh together later. A few will be asleep minutes after they get into their sleeping bags.
At any rate, I’m sure that few of these girls really pay much attention to the meaning of the words of the Scouting songs they are singing. The much-loved melodies and the feeling of safety and companionship that singing together gives is enough for them now.
Fast forward to today, and we children are now adults, with the many joys and heartbreaks that come with aging. Add to that the often dark, chilly, and scary world that seems ever-menacing around us. These ancient songs, so imprinted in our hearts, come back almost unconsciously when most needed – gifts of comfort and hope. When in doubt or fear, we find ourselves singing, gathering the strength and courage that their words give to us.
1 From the Girl Scout handbook: Peace of the River (written while on the Kentucky River by Glendora Gosling, music by Viola Wood).
2For those of you unfamiliar with Girl Scouting, sit-upons are woven newspaper squares, covered with oilcloth, making a comfortable cushion for visits to the big, wild woods.
Lord, thank you for the gift of childhood. Thank you also for the caring adults who give children gifts of their time and gifts of song. Teach us to find ways for our children to navigate the world through song. And please help us to remember the power of these gifts when we most need them. Amen.
