The moment I realized it was not about the fish!

Every now and then we need to pause to realize that sometimes there is a far deeper meaning to what we are doing. We sometimes get so focused on the task we forget the purpose. Well meaning people on mission trips sometimes get so focused on the task before them that the forget the people around them.

I know absolutely nothing about fishing. I don’t know one lure from another, and really, if I ever catch a fish I can’t even tell you what kind it is. On this day, I found a rod and reel and thought to myself, “I think I will see if I can catch a fish!” I found an old tackle box and found a hook. I tried really hard to remember the knot that Jan’s father had taught me on one our fishing excursions.

Had a rod. Had a reel. Had fishing line. Had a hook. What else do I need? Bait! But what kind of bait? Did not want to go to the store to buy a bucket of crickets–just in the hopes of catching one fish. Worms are too messy. Bacon!, everyone loves bacon–why not fish?

I remembered there was some left over from breakfast and rushed inside to get a piece. Had to hurry the left overs were disappearing quickly (everyone loves bacon). Found a piece, put it on the hook and off to the dock I scurried.

Dropped the hook in the water and began the anticipation game of waiting for the big one to bite. I didn’t catch a fish…..but I did catch a moment with my grandson, Hunter! Far more precious than silver and gold. He came down to the dock and just sat down beside me and we had a wonderful chat.

I felt a tug on the line and heard the words of Jan’s Dad ringing in my memory. “I sure would enjoy this fishing more if these fish would just leave me alone!” The excitement in Hunter’s face made it all worth while. Sure enough….I had caught a fish….after all everyone loves bacon!

But more importantly, I had caught a moment with my grandson.

This is my story…