Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to visit Granite Falls—the actual falls, not just the town here in Washington. As you can see in the image, days of heavy rain had sent a surge of runoff down from the mountains, turning the river into a thunderous, churning force. Even in the still photo, you can see the mist spraying into the air, as the river flows over the rocks, gathering momentum, and picking up speed with every descent.
I’ve always been fascinated by water. The endless forms it can take, sometimes a quiet pool, other times a roaring waterfall. It can fall from the sky as a perfectly sculpted snowflake or wander through a forest as a babbling brook. Water can be molded into various shapes and sizes. It can also be powerful enough to carve canyons and move mountains. It can be soothing and calm as well as driving and forceful. Water shifts, adapts, shapes, and transforms.
Water reminds me of the way God works in our lives. At times His presence is calm and comforting, like a quiet stream that refreshes the soul. Other times, His movement is powerful – reshaping us, redirecting us, and carving us to be who we need to be. Just as the river flows from a higher place, God’s guidance and strength pour into our lives from above, sometimes gently, sometimes powerfully, but always with purpose.
I pray we all ask, daily, for God to work in our lives. Just like the river flows, He can flow right into each one of us and change us for the better.