Kevin loves fishing, and one summer day, he gave my nephew his first fishing rod and tackle box. We purchased the equipment, including a fresh container of worms, and could not wait for our trip down south the next day. Near my sister’s house is a park where some go to fish for trout.
Upon arrival at the park, we sought out a good spot. Kevin took one look at the stream. It was rough waters rushing downstream. He looked at me and whispered, “Does not look good for fishing today. The water is moving too fast and there are almost no areas where the water is pooling”. “I’m sure he’ll have fun learning to cast, right?” I replied. We both wanted my nephew to be excited about his first catch, so we prayed for the best.
Kevin set up the rod and started teaching my nephew his lessons. From afar, I watched Kevin and my nephew; patience, determination, and spontaneity were nerve-wracking yet peaceful, and Kevin continued patiently waiting for the bite.
My nephew called out to one of the fishing men and asked, “Have you caught any fish?” One of them did and showed him the trout he had caught.
“Wow! That’s a big fish!” he exclaimed and continued patiently to cast and reel in his rod. After a couple of hours, almost three, no catch. I saw the disappointment in Kevin’s eyes behind the encouraging smile he continued to display for my nephew. It started drizzling, and our stomachs grumbled, so we returned to the house.
As we were picking up our belongings and cleaning the fishing equipment, my nephew, with a big, honest, and grateful smile, said, “It’s OK that we didn’t catch any fish, Kevin. It’s a great day!” A few seconds later, he added, “I like this fishing rod!” Kevin replied, “It’s yours, you know.” “I like MY new fishing rod!” exclaimed my nephew. “Thank you, Kevin!”
How often have we had great expectations of a day, an event, or even a relationship only to experience disappointment? Do we spend the rest of the day or the rest of our days feeling like a failure? Hopeless? Helpless? Do we feel like giving up or like nothing else is worth trying? Do we lose faith, hope, and determination? Do we give up?
God does not give up on us but reminds us of who and whose we are, and we do better in the waiting! God not only loved us to death, literally, but loves us so much more that leaving us in our present condition is not an option. Every day, we are becoming, growing, transforming, and living into our transformed lives which is why through Jesus’ resurrection, we learn to live every day with hope and faith!
Through our hope in Christ, we can see the beauty, the good, and the endless possibilities in the days when circumstances and unexpected turns of life do not all go our way or as expected or as hoped. We learn to understand and believe that God’s silence means something better is coming. And like my nephew, we can see the unexpected beauty and the gifts behind the unwanted or undesired reality of our unfulfilled expectations. Whether things go our way or not, it is and will be a great day because this and every day is the day that the Lord has made so that we may be glad and rejoice in it! (Psalm 118:24). Say it like you mean it: Today IS a great day!
In Christ,
Pastor Iraida