I’ve been telling you for weeks how much rain we’ve been getting here in the mountains. Everything is very green and lush. It’s beautiful and now we are starting to see ponds where there have been none, not for a very long time.
A few of those are appearing in the campground, in the campsites. The ground has become so saturated with the rainwater that it’s not soaking in as quickly as it used too. One such pond is at the entrance, across from our check-in station.
We camp hosts were joking that the pond was big enough to stock with fish – or at least crawdads and tadpoles. So…Friday, when Dave and I went to town I bought 3 rubber ducks and 5 bathtub fish. When we came home, I put them in the pond. Saturday morning two of my favorite little campers came down to say good morning and spotted our newest “floating” camper residents. Since they were in their rain boots their mom and dad let them play and splash in the puddle.
New idea!
I drove to the marina and bought a small fishing pole, affixed a magnet to the end of the line, and secured something metallic to the back of each fish and duck. Now, we had a fishing hole for the littles. That evening my two friends came back on their evening walk, with their parents and grandparents, and they got to be the first to catch a big one.
They were so patient.
Believe it or not, it took some skill to get one of those rubber toys to the bank. They were so happy, and content. For about the next 20-30 minutes they took turns fishing and landing their catch.
Now you fisherman know that patience is as much an essential requirement as a good pole and the proper bait.
The same holds true spiritually.
“As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, because they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” 20 Right away, they left their nets and followed him. 21 Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them and 22 immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
23 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people.” Matthew 4:18-23 CEB
Jesus was patient and loving as He ministered to people. He didn’t demand to be followed, He invited people to join him. He built relationship by attending to their needs; He healed those who were sick and brought them good news! He showed them compassion and understanding.
We have also been called to be fishers of men. We do that by building relationship, showing love, being genuine. We shouldn’t get discouraged or give up.
There’s much to be learn from what some would call child’s play. The message of Jesus is good news and we should share it with joyful hearts and patience.