Gone Fishin’

When my friend recently suggested we go fishing, I jumped at the opportunity.  With our first experience, we didn’t catch many, but it felt good to cast my line.  Being near the water and hearing it lap up on the rocks was refreshing.  The next few attempts were more successful:  crappie, catfish, bluegill, perch, and a bass here and there!  To add to the satisfaction of the sport, I decided to learn how to fillet pan fish.  As a result we have enjoyed several tasty meals of crappie and blue gill!

What my friend and I didn’t realize, however, was I would become slightly obsessed with the pastime.   It’s true- I’m “hooked” on fishing.  (Pun intended!) My car automatically turns in at a reservoir or lake, just to see if there are any good fishing spots.  My pole, and most probably some wax worms, are always in my back seat, along with my tackle box. When I cross a bridge I think about all the crappie and bluegill hanging out in the sheltered water below.  Even the search history on my computer will reveal video after video about reels, cleaning fish, best bait to use, etc.

So I asked myself today, while fishing and catching some nice fat bluegill, “Why do I like this so much?”

The answer was multifaceted.  Fishing takes me back to a safe, happy time in my life: Memories of summertime weekends spent with my cousins at my grandparent's lake cottage, waking in the morning there to sounds of the water outside my window and the smell of Grandma’s cooking all come to mind in a swirl of joy that stirs me in a way I can’t sufficiently describe.  I only know it is wonderful.

Somehow recalling the security of my childhood gives me a sense of being anchored, so when I fish, I am often overwhelmed with gratitude. 

An abundance of blue gill at Griggs Reservoir!

The quietness of fishing gives me a chance to express that gratitude to God.  We have a lot of talks, God and I, while I’m fishing.  The beauty of the water, the company of the ducks passing by, and the sound-the beautiful sweet sound of water against the shore all whisper God’s presence to me. 

Fishing gives me a reprieve from the many unknowns in my present life.  “Not knowing” is not scary for me, mind you.  He has shown me time and time again in my life that I can trust Him.  However, getting away from my work, really away, beside a quiet stream or along side a lake allows me to maintain that assurance by taking time to breath deeply and focus on Him. 
I'm grateful my friend re-introduced me to fishing.  It's a vacation I can take any day I want, even if just for a few hours.  No fancy hotel, no big screen TV, no room service- just me, my God, a quiet spot by the water, and my fishin' pole.  Perfection!                                   ©2014jcd

 Psalm 23: 2-3a  
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures;  He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul.

 

One of the many beautiful views at Griggs Reservoir

Back to main site:  tangibleinspirations.com