The last day of the festival came. It was the most important day. On that day Jesus stood up and said loudly, “Whoever is thirsty may come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say.” 

John 7:37-38

I took the first three photographs of the Tar early Monday just at the edge of dawn. Max and I were taking our morning walk and I was surprised at how low the river was running. It had been, after all, just a few days since the water spilled over its banks for the second time since Rebekah and I moved here.

We walked by the church, first, watching the sky begin to light up, then we made our way down to the river walk and through the park.

Of course, Tuesday’s heavy rains will result in more floods by the weekend as the water saturating the counties upstream makes its way to our vulnerable bend in the river. Then, with more precipitation forecast for Friday, I expect to see both River Road and the Riverfront Park quickly disappear.

We have never lived near a river before, and it is fascinating to watch and to learn. But not just about the river; Rebekah and I are learning such a lot, every single day, and will continue to absorb all that we can during our tenure here in Tarboro.

The Photographs:

Once I downloaded the photographs I realized that what I had was a lot more than some simple snapshots documenting the water levels on the Tar River. They are all compelling images in their own right. The town, the river, the shadows, the reflections, the trees silhouetted in the predawn light, the stump in the foreground.

So Max and I returned this morning (Wednesday), to see that the river is already on the rise. That – beginning with the Stars and Stripes – will be the the balance of the images below.

God is – in a sense – waiting for me to get up!

I always find it a struggle to launch myself out of bed early, but I am always glad when I do. For me – and this is no reflection on those who sleep in – I often feel as if I am better equipped to listen, and that God is quite literally waiting for me, sitting on the porch swing looking at his watch when I come through the door. This is especially true when I take photographs like these.

I am not sure if the images effectively communicate the stillness and the quiet, the anticipation for the day, or if I see all of that in the photographs because that was my experience when I took them. But I always have the sense that God has things to share with me at first light that I otherwise would not know.

Jesus talks about “rivers of living water flowing from (our) hearts.” I like that image.

But of course those rivers of living water will not flow out unless we, first, put ourselves in the presence of The Holy often and consistently enough that we ourselves are filled.

In love, and because the love of Jesus fills my heart – DEREK