Home
>
Spirituality
>
I Think Ill Just Go Fishin

I Think Ill Just Go Fishin

I said something last week I haven't said in years. Where it came from, I really don't know. It's funny, you're tooling along minding your own business for weeks, maybe months at a time, and then something you haven't thought about for years pops into your noodle.

I don't remember what brought it on, but I blurted out, "I think I'll just quit everything and go fishin'."

Where the phrase came from is a mystery because I can't remember the last time I went fishing. It's tragic when a person gets so busy he forgets about the truly essential things of life. There is nothing, in my mind (at least that's my wife's opinion) more essential in life than fishing.

In the heart of my tackle box, I am a true-blue fisherman, especially if it's a cold morning and I am waste deep in frigid water.

Two types of people indulge in this business of fishing.

Some take up fishing as a hobby to get away from the rat race of life. And there is nothing like fishing to do just that.

When at work they think of fishing, and when fishing, they think of work. These are not real fishermen, they just play one on their holidays and no self-respecting sporting goods store should be allowed selling them any fishing tackle.

Then there are those who are born fishermen. It's not something they chose, just like nobody chooses the color of their eyes, the color of their skin or what year they were born n although some fudge here a little. My motto: a little fudge is good for your soul. These are just born fishermen and there is nothing they can do about it. Whether it's the sovereignty of God or predestination I'm not sure, I just know it happens.

Sometimes the best thing a person can do is drop everything and just go fishing. If more people did this, it might cut down on the war and violence in our world.

People need to know several things about "going fishin'" and fishermen in general. Fishermen are an abused minority and grossly misunderstood by the general population. As far as I know there is no voice standing up for these poor souls. Maybe its because voices can't stand and then there are some voices I can't stand.

In the first place, fishing has everything to do with the equipment n and not just any equipment will do. In some regards, it takes a lifetime to acquire the proper equipment to go fishing. This is where the true-blue fishermen are greatly misunderstood.

No true-blue fisherman would ever think of going fishing without his lucky hat. Going fishing without your lucky hat is like going to a restaurant without your appetite; what's the point?

This essential part of his fishing equipment is lucky because it hosts several lucky fishing lures and flies, all meticulously arranged around the hat, representing some story associated with his fishing adventures. Some stories may be true, but not all, and in time the owner of the hat can't remember which are true and which are not.

Another misnomer about going fishing has to do with catching fish. Let me state right here that catching fish has absolutely nothing to do with going fishing. In fact, no true fisherman would ever go fishing with the idea of catching any fish. For the most part, it is the furthest thing from his mind.

When a fisherman goes fishing and catches a fish, he has nothing to talk about. And whatever else a fisherman loves doing, it is talking.

If, for example, a fisherman goes fishing all day and catches 20 fish, there is only one subject he will talk about when he gets back. No, it is not the 20 fish he caught. After all, they are right in front of you; what else is there to say about it?

If the biggest fish, for instance, is 13 inches he cannot exaggerate and say it is 18 inches. The presence of the fish precludes stretching the truth, not that a fisherman would lie - he just improves on the truth as he sees it.

Often, when a fisherman does catch a fish he throws it back under the pretense of it not being big enough.

The singular subject of a fisherman's talk when returning from fishing is simply, "the one that got away." No matter how big his biggest catch of the day is, the one that got away out-scales them all.

He may never have seen that fish, but it has nothing to do with his recitation of the one that got away. Something about that fish, whether real or imaginary, stirs the imagination of a true-blue fisherman. And, whether he saw that fish or not, he can talk for weeks, months and even years about that one.

A real fish in time spoils and eventually stinks; however, the one that got away always improves with age.

I find myself in good company in this area. No less a person than the apostle Peter did the same thing. He was frustrated and didn't know what to do so he did the thing that came natural to him.

"Simon Peter saith unto them, I go fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing." (John 21:3 KJV.)

I did not go fishing last week but just the thought of it was an amazing elixir to my spirit.

The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, 1471 Pine Road. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores.

Contact him by calling 687-4240. His e-mail address is: jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is jamessnyder2@att.net

Rev. Snyder's new book, You Can Always Tell A Pastor (But Not Very Much), is available. Rev. Snyder is host to the weekly radio program, Sunday Joy, each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on WOCA, 1370 AM.

move in cleaning service Lake Forest ..

In The News:

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.

Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.

New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.

Chrome now autofills passport and driver's license info automatically. Google's latest browser update adds official document support with encryption and user control.

Scammers impersonate Department of Veterans Affairs employees claiming veterans owe money, but real VA communications only direct to VA.gov or official channels.

The AltoVolo Sigma hybrid-electric aircraft flies 500 miles at 220 mph while operating 80% quieter than helicopters, featuring safety systems and compact design.

Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.

Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.

Louvre Museum reportedly used "Louvre" as password for surveillance system during $100M jewel heist. Learn how weak passwords put even famous institutions at risk.

Bipartisan AI jobs bill from Sens. Hawley and Warner would require companies to report AI-related layoffs and hiring to Department of Labor quarterly.

Joe A. from Shelton, Connecticut, lost $228,000 to a ZAP Solutions cryptocurrency investment scam after his divorce, highlighting rising online fraud.

AI-powered autonomous trucks from Waabi and Volvo target U.S. freight driver shortage with Level 4 self-driving technology and NVIDIA computing platform integration.

Survive flight disruptions with expert travel tips: Book early morning flights, download airline apps and know your refund rights during service cuts.

Apple's iOS 26.1 update delivers major security fixes, performance boosts and enhanced privacy controls for your iPhone. Discover why updating now protects your data.

Russian hackers use fake CAPTCHA tests to spread dangerous malware targeting governments and journalists. Learn how to protect yourself from these deceptive attacks.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Miami-Dade debuts America's first autonomous police SUV with AI cameras, drone deployment and real-time crime detection in groundbreaking law enforcement pilot.

Bank impostor scams cost Americans $2.9 billion as criminals use AI voices and caller ID spoofing to steal life savings. Learn nine essential fraud protection tips.

Foreign-owned apps secretly harvest personal data from seniors, making them prime targets for scams. Learn how to protect your privacy and stop data brokers today.

Sens. Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal introduce bipartisan GUARD Act to protect minors from AI chatbots through mandatory age verification and disclosure requirements.

Ghost-tapping scammers exploit wireless technology to drain accounts through small transactions, but RFID-blocking wallets and transaction alerts can protect you.

I Think Ill Just Go Fishin

Spirituality