Turning the page into the month of June stirs ancient memories of an early morning wake-up call as Daddy rallied Sue and me for another special time with him on St John's River.  The delicious airborne essence of bacon frying accompanying coffee's magnetic aroma rousts my sibling and I from our respective lairs of sweaty sleep in those days preceding the magic of air conditioning.

After a hurry up breakfast and a quiet drive down deserted pre-dawn sandy back roads, it always seemed a bit disquieting to us youngsters to push the old rowboat out into the coffee-colored river surrounded by silent sentinels of ghostly bald cypress trees swathed with their boas of Spanish moss. Only the strong, quiet presence of our dad rendered the spookiness of the moment an adventure rather than something to endure.

We had heard the stories of his childhood on the river. We knew he understood the currents and weather we might encounter. He even knew the schedule of any major boat traffic coming our way and how to survive such events.

I believe I hear another Voice waking us to yet another adventure. Are there elements of potential danger lurking in our tomorrows? But of course. Could there be things we have never faced awaiting around some fog shrouded bend? Definitely.

Are we chewing our nails to their beds in nervous anticipation of the unknown? Definitely not. Because the strong, quiet Presence of our Heavenly Father is with us. He knows the way like the back of His hand. He is our guide and our constant companion by the power of His Spirit.

No sir. We are not fearful, because He is with us. We are not alone.

Sure do love serving God with you!

Rich Orrell, Pastor