A Place in the Woods FIJ


 

A Place in the Woods

Faith in Jasper Article

 

 

If you were to go there in February under a consoling 2pm sun, the hushed clearing, the ring of snow, would glisten brightly, there in that sanctuary in the woods away from the noise of the town. A place of pale-breathed hopes, of kind skies and forests pushed back, a communion with more than one’s wishes, more than one’s wounds.

 

A sort of promise pervaded the scene, I recall, which is perhaps why a return visit was in order. These several weeks have not been without their struggles. Some breathing space was needed. Past Pyramid Lake, then, trail 2b to 2h, an upward ascent to the knoll knuckled under to form what is known as Katrine Lake. (‘Lake’ is a generous term, indeed!)

 

But what is this? Not the peacock shades of Patricia or the Lodge-side lakes. Not the crystalline waters of the Maligne river. Nor even the inviting shores of the second Mina lake for a quick midday skinnie. No, the waters of Katrine, now that the ice and snow of February are long gone, languish, brew and stew unto themselves, forming a mat of slimy growth upon the lake bed repelling all waders, while flotillas of the most revolting algae drift across the lake from a reedy breeding ground to custard the shore in pale pink lumps, resembling far too closely the brains or innards of some poor ambushed creatures.

 

It did not help, that stormy, grey flannel sky, nor the restless wind that harassed the pine tops. “Happy place”? I think not! Rather, a reminder that the creation can mirror the diseased, as well as the finer, dimensions of the soul. And of course the problem with sad, little Katrine Lake is so often our own trouble. On a map this would be noted by the absence of two thin blue lines, the arteries of “in-flow” and “out-flow”, that which circulates what otherwise must stagnate.

 

But thank God there is prayer, the fresh flow in. And thank God there are people, the spillway for a re-freshened soul. And so, the waters of life do spiritually what they also do physically, descend from on high to occupy the lower ground. So ask. And then give it away. In so doing you shall refresh many.

 

Pastor Richard Bowler

Jasper Park Baptist Church

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