I have been reflecting on the following quote “A canal boat is safe in a canal basin but that’s not what canal boats are built for”.

A number of years ago my parents in law retired, sold up and bought a narrow boat which is now their permanent home. They have a mooring at Droitwich but spend much of the year exploring the many waterways across the country and experiencing the beautiful countryside.

A narrow boat is a gentle way to travel, you are forced to slow down to a mind blowing five miles an hour, even at full tilt. Everything is taken carefully and slowly, allowing you to savour the surroundings. They have recently returned from a two-week circuit that took in Worcester, Evesham, Stratford and the bottom of Birmingham. It was quite extraordinary to think we could jump in the car and meet up with them in about 30 minutes, a journey that was taking them days to travel.

The route they took involved navigating a stretch of the river Avon and at this point the sailing becomes more dangerous. Lifejackets are donned and a keen eye is kept on other vessels and the weather. Heading out into deeper, wider waters increases the likelihood of problems, so additional care is taken to prevent accidents.

Slowing down also puts you at the mercy of the weather, you become more keenly aware of the changing sky, if the wind becomes significant, it can blow you across the canal into the reeds with the potential to get stuck. There are no quick options, just planning and thinking ahead, mindful of what is happening around you and being ready to moor up until the storm passes.

In the same way our lives can end up being lived at a pace, with the opportunity to slow down and savour each moment a rare event. As Christians we are called to take notice of the things happening around us, to spot the times and places where God is at work and to join in with his handiwork.

But just like the narrow boat, this doesn’t mean we are always travelling in calm waters. Sometimes we need to don our life jackets, be aware and ready to respond appropriately. God wants us to move out of our canal basins and onto the waterways, ready to follow his guidance.

So, as we approach this summer time, perhaps we can take the time to slow down, appreciate all that surrounds us and find that God is with us, working alongside us and encouraging us into new waters.

Rev Katie Cross