Sunday afternoon by the river

What a great day it was today - sunshine, reasonably warm and only a light breeze. So this afternoon we went for a walk on another section of the Thames Path.

There were lots of people out walking, picnicking, paddling canoes or just lazing on (or by) the river. This is just one of the boats that was on the Thames, and it came past at the right time to be framed by the trees along that section of the bank.

What is it about being by running water that refreshes people? Is it that the water flows so naturally without a lot of effort? Is it about finding peace and quiet and somewhere to just 'be'? Is it about enjoying what God has provided that is bigger than what we can do?

It just reminded me today of the first part of Psalm 23 which says ...

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.