Salmon Run

Small fry wriggling in delight 
Through rocks and pebbles of stream bed
Form a school born up high 
In mountain waters fed 

Growing slow yet rapid still
Cruising shoals and waterfalls
Avoiding spears and fishing hooks 
Eagle talons and bear jaws

On t’wards the sea to be 
Full of life robust and strong 
‘Til the day the mountains sing
‘Come back now where you belong’

Bodies sleek flagged in red 
Mature and ready for return 
Guided by determined will 
Begin their upstream run 

Battle worn they fortify
Rest in eddies calm and deep 
Renew to swim yet again
Up and up, on and on

Our old days our salmon run 
Reaching aged maturity 
Surviving ever growing years
Demands endurance too

Oh, God who gives the salmon strength 
The will and way to endure 
Fighting rapids, jumping high 
Keeping on to overcome 

As we face like forces fierce
Intent on pushing us away 
From the blessed resting place 
Keep us keeping on

Give us strength to swim our stream 
The river rapids where e’er we be 
Bring us fully home again 
Complete, our final rest in Thee

~~~

Thank You, LORD, for examples in Your creation of the design and provision You have for life, including joy of the journey with others, gifted direction and insight, protection, provision and rest, purpose in all. And no matter how long or short our journey, Your presence with us and over us all the way. Thank You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Psalm 107:30 NLT
“What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!”

Psalm 48:14 HCSB
“This God, our God forever and ever— He will always lead us.”