Day Eight

April 8

With a bit of understandable trepidation, we left the car park and headed for Annecy, France just south of Geneva.

Immediately, we got turned around (not lost) and quickly rightened ourselves. We had to laugh because there was no turning back.

The drive was beautiful through the countryside along the main toll road. The toll system and border crossing was a bit daunting the first time ‘round. Only because it wasn’t familiar to us - and not because it was overly difficult.

We arrived in the wrong little village than we intended and had another laugh… but it gave me ample time to better familiarize myself with the new vehicle at a slow crawling street rate.

Some crosswalks you must yield to pedestrians, others you don’t at certain times… there are few stop signs, and roundabouts every few hundred feet.

Annecy was stunning. There aren’t quite words to describe such stunning natural beauty mixed with centuries old streets and passageways.

And running right through the middle is Le Thiou beautifully reminiscent of Venice‘s canals and waterways.

We hiked up to take in the views from Musée-Château d'Annecy. http://musees.annecy.fr/

Stunning, snow-covered mountain peaks, mixed with the deep blue waters of Le Lac, spring daffodils, poppies, and lilly-of-the-valley in full bloom, and sunbathers along Plage de la Brune is just the beginning…

Deeper into the mountains, we went in search of Château de Methon- Saint-Bernard. We couldn’t get very close to the castle as there was a Medieval festival in full swing. https://www.chateau-de-menthon.com/

Beautiful horses, sheep and cattle added to the stunning permaculture along the lower castle grounds.

We had a relatively event-free journey back to Geneva just in time for Leah and me to catch Tram #14 into town to get her a bite to eat before turning in for the day.

Today, I experienced some of the world’s most stunning nature. Natural beauty crafted and formed by the hand of God.

Rushing rivers, rolling hills, treacherous cliffs, mountain rock… snow-covered mountain peaks, flowering blossoms, bustling honeybees…

I could go on and on trying to describe the God-made natural wonders we were privileged to see today.

And yet…

Today, is Holy Saturday… the day we reflect on the silence of the grave. The day we remember that all seemed lost on Saturday.

The one they hailed the triumphant King just days earlier, died upon the Cross of Suffering… Friday.

Saturday sat in grief and silence, with the words, “I will rise…” confusingly etched upon their souls.

And Sunday was the miracle - not yet come.

And sometimes, some of us still find ourselves from time to time also sitting in the silence of Saturday… desperately praying for the miracle of Sunday.

We feel the powerful, confusing grip of fear wrapped ‘round and ‘round our hearts and yet -

It is in the silence of Saturday -
in the stillness of the middle -
the work of the Cross takes root.

And so dear friends, as we pass through the most Holy Silence of Saturday, may we remember these words from Lamentations —

“Yet, I still dare to hope
when I remember this:

The faithful love of the Lord
never ends!

His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin
afresh each morning.

I say to myself,
‘The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!’

The Lord is good to those
who depend on him,
to those who search for him.

So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.

For no one is abandoned
by the Lord forever.

Though he brings grief,
he also shows compassion
because of the greatness
of his unfailing love.”

‭‭Lam 3‬

This God,
Creator of all
Creator of us

Holds the weight of Saturday…
So that Sunday might come.