Let's Go Fishing!, by Ron Rose

This story and lesson is just what we have been learning about.



Hear the Story

My dad was not a perfect father, by any means. He didn't get to spend much time with me as a child—he was either working, sleeping or drinking most of the time. I don't think he knew exactly what a father was supposed to do. But, I will never forget our deep-sea fishing trip. The older I get the more I treasure that day. It continues to shape me and my faith.

I had never been fishing from a boat before, and this boat wasn't just any old boat. It was a party fishing boat docked at Half Moon Bay, near Monterey, California. The morning air was crisp and boat was an adventure waiting to happen. My 9 year-old eyes were capturing every moment.

After riding giant four-foot waves up and down for what seemed like hours, we dropped anchor and began baiting hooks. I was the only boy on a boat filled with serious fishermen.

As I stared at the pail of fresh baby squid, I flashed back to scenes of the giant squid in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

The captain laughed, "They won't hurt you, but their mommy might." "He's just kidding," my dad assured me. Embarrassed and a little peeved, I picked up one of those ugly slimy creatures and with my dad's help threaded it on my hook. I knew exactly what to do next. I had practiced the day before on the pier.

Just as I was about to show my dad the greatest cast in the world, he grabbed the rod. "Whoa," he said, "out here there's no need to cast. We're already in the deep water. Just let the line out and hold on tight." How deep, I wondered?

With sad disappointment, I let the line drop over the edge of the boat. Truth was, I had never been fishing when you actually caught fish, but I really loved to cast.

In less than a minute it felt like a whale had latched onto my hook. I struggled just to hold on. "I think you've got a big one," Dad said." Just keep the line tight, and you'll wear him out."

At the time, my mind was filled with images of a fish too big for the boat. I was having the time of my life. My dad stopped fishing and just watched me.

The fish was only eight pounds, but before the day was over I caught fifteen more about that same size, and I became an expert in undoing backlashes. It was the best day ever.

Dad and I talked about going deep-sea fishing again, but we never did. That one trip has lasted a lifetime. That day has overshadowed all the times when he wasn't there. That day introduced my to a side of my father I had not known or cared to know. I knew he wasn't perfect, but I discovered he really loved me and I loved him.

He didn't know it, but on that day we began a faith exchange that has continued years after his death. How could that be? Find the Story.

Faith is shaped through the years by love, genuine, no strings attached, love. Spending time with people of faith who really love us, who seem to always have our best interest at heart, energizes and shapes our faith muscles. You see we don't have to talk about faith, or be "religious" to tone and develop faith.

Who are the people who have influenced your life? Each one has left a piece of faith with you, whether they knew it or not. And, a few of them continue to mentor and coach you.

How does that happen? It's a mystery. Just let the line out and hold on tight.

Be the Story

OK, get off the couch, out of the house, and spend some "fishing time." Play catch, take a walk, go to the zoo, have some fun. You don't have to say a word about God or faith or church to mentor someone's faith. Just be there.

Sounds simple? Well, it's not rocket science, it's life. Live it! Be what God intended.

Trust him to fill in the blanks, to open the doors, to connect the dots, and to give you the right words when words are needed. Oh, and "don't forget to let the line out (in other words, give God the opportunity to do something unexpected)."

From Ron's Faith Fitnessemail. See FaithFitness.net
--------- (c) 2005 FaithFitness and Ron Rose <ron@faithfitness.net>.