Things Not Seen

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 (NRSV) 

We knew they were nearby. As we raced up and down the river in our dragon boat, my teammates and I saw huge dams made of branches and mud. We saw sapling stumps expertly gnawed to a perfect point. Every autumn, we marveled at the way new ponds would appear on what once had been dry land. But in all our days on the river, we’d never once actually seen a beaver.  

This was not too surprising, since beavers are mainly active at night. So we shared photos of the burrows and lodges we spotted along the banks, and passed around a waterlogged copy of Beaverland. But while it always gladdened our hearts to find evidence of their presence, what we really wanted was a face-to-face encounter with the creatures who, for millions of years, have been shaping and sustaining the very landscape of our lives.  

And so, one evening in December, we gathered at the river. As quietly as possible, we slipped into the boat. Then we paddled out of the main channel and into the slough, where we were convinced the beavers would be busy with their winter preparations.  

Did we see them? Well, no. It was really dark, and foggy, too. But we were close enough to hear them slipping into the shallows and dripping as they climbed back out. Close enough to hear them chewing the bark off branches as they built their dens.  

We held our collective breath. We smiled until our faces ached. Our hearts were full. The ones we’d hoped for were all around us, and it was enough.  

Prayer
For the invisible holiness that runs through the very body of this world, for the sacred places that help us draw near, and for the friends who paddle beside us, thanks be to God.

About the Author
Rev. Yael Lachman is a UCC minister and artist who leads contemplative retreats, art adventures, and worship for all ages, most often in wild places. You can find Yael here.