A band called The Head and The Heart has a killer song called Rivers and Roads. I first heard this song in July 2017. We were driving East to start a new adventure and friends, it was the balm my entirely broken heart needed. I listened to it repeatedly as I bawled my eyes out for 5 days and well over 1,000 miles. Once in Texas, it was a constant that I played when life felt heavy. It was sung by some dear friends as they prepared to leave seminary, given to me as a CD (yes we still had those in 2017) from a dear friend to help remind me that there were rivers and roads that would lead us back together. Over the past 7 years, I have listened to it frequently when life has felt heavy, when I missed "home", and when transitions have occurred.
Recently, with illness now on the other side of the horizon (prayerfully), I have picked it up again because although the waters of life are fairly smooth I find myself missing people and places. There is a line in the song "My family lives in a different state." So much of my "family" lives hundreds or thousands of miles from me. If you've ever lived far from those who know and love you, you can relate. I listen to this song to remind myself that really so much of life is just rivers and roads till you reach whatever it is that is meant for you. You'll miss some folks and places but given enough time, all things come back around.
So as we all continue to traverse the rivers and roads, missing faces, and places, know that eventually the rivers and roads will lead you back. Have faith. Keep pursuing those rivers and roads. I'll walk with you.
