I just returned from four days away with my family and friends. I spent two days with my mother and the other two days at my camper beside the river for it was opening of fishing season. I love this weekend in April not simply for the good memories of fishing with my father on opening day, but for the celebration of new life, which is so abundant this time of year. As I reflect on the weekend I find some lessons I learned from it.
From the front of my camper on Saturday I had the pleasure of watching a father fishing with his daughter. It reminded me greatly of the times I went with my dad. Reflecting on this I discover, my heavenly Father wants to go fishing with me even more so than my earthly father did. There are many lessons to be learned when sitting beside a stream fishing, but that dissertation is for another time. But knowing the Father wants to fish with me and teach me is some thing I want to make time for, HE provides the bait and tackle; I need to give HIM the time.
Secondly, in church the sermon was on feeding the five thousand in Luke 9 and John 6. The preacher wondered (paraphrased) if the disciples, who were simply living their lives, had any idea that two thousand years later the church would look like it does today? What struck me was of does anyone ever know what one action will yield in the future? I am guilty of looking simply at the impact my life makes in my lifetime, but GOD sees way beyond my short span of time on earth. The actions I take now, the way I live my life now will have impact beyond the here and now. On Saturday evening my entire family gathered at a benefit dinner to assist sending a teenager from my mother’s church to Haiti on a short-term mission trip. As we sat at the table all 12 of us, with our mother at the end it was impressive to see 4 generations gathered in support. I only pray the younger children will be as impacted as much as I was with this.
Lastly, as many know I just bought a new Android phone. This weekend I was able to download two very cool applications, the first was three versions of the Bible and the second was a “Google Sky Map.” As I was in awe with both (and tickled like a kid) I realized on my phone were the words of THE ONE who named the stars I was able to now look at and identify.
I think, if I were to summarize this post I would have to say, take time with those you love and who love you for you never know what seemingly insignificant occasion (fishing with your children or gathering for a meal) will spur something much larger in the future, which you may never see. Take time to look in awe at the stars and be with the one who calls them by name. As spring flows into summer I hope to spend time fishing and looking at the stars; honoring both my earthly parents and my Heavenly Father.
awesome Jodi
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