Ken

Robert Traver on Trout Fishing.

“I fish because I love to. Because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly. Because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape. Because in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing what they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion. Because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed, or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility, and endless patience. Because I suspect that men are going this way for the last time and I for one don’t want to waste the trip. Because mercifully there are no telephones on trout waters. Because in the woods I can find solitude without loneliness. … And finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant and not nearly so much fun.” Trout refuse to live in ugly places. 

Jerry Dennis on Fishing.

“Why fish? It teaches us to perform small acts with care. It humbles us. It enriches our friendships. It cultivates reverence for wild things and beautiful places. It reminds us that time needs occasionally to be squandered. It offers relief from endless chores and appalling world events. It makes us participants in nature instead of spectators… ”   

Ken Pierpont on Fishing.

So this is the thing. I don’t really fish anymore, but I’m like a trout. I like to go to pretty places, the kind of places where trout live, especially when I need relief from “…appalling world events…” Can I suggest that when you are overwhelmed by appalling world events you find a place that that is soothing to your soul, someplace beautiful. People may think you odd, but go stand in a stream somewhere. Go climb a mountain. Go look on big water. Take a walk in the woods or do what I sometimes do. Get a comfortable folding lawn chair… and set it up by a tree somewhere and look at that tree, listen to the sounds of the birds that play among the branches. See how many sounds you can hear, sounds you would normally overlook. Feel the sun on your neck. Pray. Be thankful.

Whatever you do, don’t be overcome by appalling world events.

Here is a link to my story podcast: Stories From Bittersweet Farm. Will you listen to my stories and give me some feedback? I would be honored.

This morning I was running just a little behind. I grabbed a handful of nutritional supplements to wash down with my coffee and headed across the yard to the car. Since I was a little late I walked as briskly as possible with my head down focused on the ground ahead of me. Just as I got to the car I realized my error. I had broken my own tried-and-true rule of life; “Don’t walk around with your head down.”

I had not looked up the see that the sun was making its golden way up into the blue morning sky. I had not looked up the see the trees were breaking into bud. I had not taken time to see the brightness of the morning, or felt the freshness of the day. I had not stopped to listen to the cacophony of birdsong all around. I had not paused on the porch just to sit in the warmth of the sun for a few minutes. I hadn’t noticed that green was slowly creeping into the brown winter grass. I didn’t take the time to look out toward the horizon where deer had stepped out of the woods to feed on the husks of last years bean crop.

All of us have things to do and places to go and people to see. All of us have things that, if we let them, will darken our spirits and burden our hearts. If we walk around with our heads down and fail to be mindful of the beautifies and the glories that surround us we will be the poorer for it.

But if we lift up our eyes to the beauties and to the glories of the creation around us our hearts will be light and our spirits will be lifted. Try it.

If you are born-again, don’t walk around with your head down. Don’t let anything darken or burden your spirit. You are a child of the One True God. You are a citizen of the Kingdom of God. You are destined for the New Heaven and the New Earth and the New Jerusalem. Your sins are forgiven. Your past is past. Your slate is clean before God. You have a bright future. You are packing to go places wonderful beyond description.

If you are saved, one day, maybe soon, Jesus will come back to earth and you will live in the presence the God who loves you. You will meet Jesus face-to-face. You will enjoy a family reunion that will never end. You will be free forever from disease, sin, sickness, sorrow, and death. Justice and peace will prevail over the face of the whole earth. You will worship with millions upon millions of redeemed people and the angels of God in the presence of God. You will have years upon rolling years to explore the New Earth and enjoy the New Heavens.

Lift up your head. Fill your lungs with spring air. Tune your heart to the frequency of heaven. Taste and see, listen and feel, smell the good earth. Don’t walk around with your head down. May your spirit be bright and your burden be light. You are a child of the Living God.