Kids remind me why God is a fisherman.
It happened this past weekend on our dock.
Connor, age 10, jumped with glee when the large fish hit the line.
“It’s a jumbo!” shouted his 8 year old brother Benjamin.
“I wanna catch a fish!” yelled 5 year old Harry.
The boys saw something we should see everyday.
Bait from God
Wonder.
Lakes and oceans are loaded with wonder.
Joy oozing around God’s works.
Glory be to God for dappled things
For skies of couple-color as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced–fold, fallow, and plough;
And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him. Gerard Manley Hopkins
Many folks suffer darkness.
They don’t see wonder.
But, fishing flings us there.
We see . . .
- power stirring
- food multiplying
- sunlight surrounding
“There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number,
living things both large and small.
All creatures look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.” Psalm 104: 25-28
We might be blocked.
But, kids aren’t.
God isn’t.
God shouts his love through his works.
One is a fisherman.
Waiting on you
Why a fisherman?
Perhaps he’s easy to . . .
- talk with
- have fun with
- be yourself with
“Early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” John 21:4-6
Anyone more engaging than a fishing guide?
Instead of a President or Queen, God brings his Son . . .
- standing on a beach
- guiding us through
- cooking our breakfast
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus took some bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.” John 21:10-13
Everything clicks when we see the Son.
- No fear
- No judgement
- No condemnation
Just love and acceptance.
Welcome to breakfast.
What’s your last encounter with wonder?
Beautiful and peaceful thoughts of being out in nature and seeing God in all that surrounds us. And this helped me recall the joy of seeing one of our beloved children catch their first fish.
“… thank you Lord for everything”!
Thank you Steve. Shared this link with my older brother and youngest son in hopes they are blessed by it as much as I was. Blessings and thanks, Doug
Thanks for sharing Doug. Watching kids catch fish, especially the first, is truly a spark of joy!
Hi Steve,
Just what I needed, a quick reminder of all the wonder around us after 6 weeks of incessant rain. Thanks for the positive read…AB
Isn’t it cool to think how daily life can be lifted by wonder? Thanks for your comment AB!