On my earliest visit to Fort McMurray, Alberta, I was driven beside a body of water which at the time was frozen over with winter ice. I was informed that this was The Snye (sounds like Sn-eye). Since I am a lover of rivers, this peaked my interest. Snye is a Canadian French noun whose origin dates back to sometime between 1810 and 1820. Its three meanings are similar: a backwater; a side-channel, especially one that later rejoins the main stream; a channel joining two rivers. The Snye, a waterway, once joined the Clearwater River to the Athabasca River. A causeway built to access MacDonald Island has stopped the outflow of The Snye into the Athabasca River. The Snye is utilized by float planes, boaters, skaters and snowmobilers.
Make me a channel of blessing today, Make me a channel of blessing, I pray; My life possessing, my service blessing, Make me a channel of blessing today.
I think on the definition: “a channel joining two rivers.” For centuries The Snye joined the waters of the Clearwater to the waters of the Athasbasca. A hymn “A channel of blessing” reminds me of a snye. “Is your life a channel of blessing? Is the love of God flowing through you? Are you telling the lost of the Savior? Are you ready His service to do? Is your life a channel of blessing? Are you burdened for those that are lost? Have you urged upon those who are straying, the Savior Who died on the cross? Is your life a channel of blessing? Is it a daily telling for Him? Have you spoken the Word of salvation to those who are dying in sin? Make me a channel of blessing today, Make me a channel of blessing, I pray; My life possessing, my service blessing, Make me a channel of blessing today.”