Author: Dana

I got a call from two young voices Friday: “Opa, can you come fishing with us?” So Saturday morning 7-year-old Wilkes and almost 5-year-old Macy rode in Taylor’s boat through the cool spring air to the shallows where the fish are on bed. Taylor likes ‘top water fishing’ best, but ‘sight fishing’ is a close second as the fisherman actually sees the fish in the water.

Our son caught a couple before we came to a place where he spotted a big bass. Thirty minutes later, we were in the same location as Taylor patiently tossed a plastic worm into the water. “Daddy, let’s go home,” cried Macy. “This is boring,” added Wilkes. “How long is he going to do this?” I thought. Taylor kept saying, “Be quiet guys, I’m going to catch this fish.” Suddenly, he shouted, “Macy, get the net!” Thirty seconds later, his pole bent, the water splashed, and Macy netted a good-sized bass.

I asked, “How did you know it was time to get the net?” Taylor explained he saw the fish flinch, which meant it was getting aggravated with the troublesome worm and would soon strike. “Does it always take that much time?” I asked. “Sometimes it is quicker, but bigger bass usually take longer… sometimes it can take a couple of hours.” “Whew,” I thought, “the kids and I would have never lasted that long.”

Once, after the resurrection, Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come with you,” the other disciples said. They fished all night and didn’t catch a thing. Then Someone from the shore shouted, “Haven’t you caught anything?” “No!” they answered. “Cast your net on the other side of the boat!” When they did, the fishermen were unable to haul in the net because it was so full. “It’s the Lord!” said John, and Peter jumped in the water and swam to shore.

The disciples counted 153 fish, but interestingly, the net did net did not tear. They brought some of the fish to the fire where Jesus was cooking breakfast. This story from John 21 closes with: “This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.” (John 21:14)

‘Time’ is used in our language in different ways. It is an important word, and though God is not bound by it, He comprehends every facet. He knows the times and seasons of our lives and our time is in His hands.

Jesus understands our struggles with ‘time’ because He lived on earth. He taught both patience and urgency while urging listeners not to miss what is most important. “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23) “I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear My voice — the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.” (John 5:25)

Jesus also once said, “I am with you for only a short time…” and we would be wise to use our time on earth as He did. Let’s pray for wisdom and grace. Let’s redeem the time rather than waste it. Treasure the time with loved ones and do not take your blessings for granted. Do not grow weary in taking the time to serve and love others. Praise God He has given us time!

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Romans 5:6

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

“So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

“I don’t think I want to fly on buddy passes any more after this trip,” John stated as we waited in Des Moines to see if there would be open seats on the flight home to Atlanta. Buddy passes are non-revenue, standby tickets given as a benefit to airline employees, who can share them with family and friends. While there is a cost for taxes and fees, there is usually a significant savings flying on a buddy pass. The challenge is: one can only board the plane if there is an open seat.

Our friend Rob says, “Flying on a buddy pass requires faith,” so I replied to John Turner’s comment: “You gotta have faith, John.” “Oh, I believe in God, Dana, I just don’t believe we’re going to get on this plane.” I laughed, “I think God wants us to believe He is here with us in our everyday situations. He wants us to know He works things out for our good.”

I have to be careful what I say to this eighteen-year-old high school senior because I shared his same worries the day we departed Atlanta for Des Moines. Rob texted me after we arrived at the airport: “The flight is sold out. There must be three no-shows before you and John can fly. Don’t leave, though, until the door to the plane shuts. You just never know…” “Lord,” I prayed, “if we don’t get on this plane, we’ll have to cancel our trip. I thought You wanted us to go…”

We had first planned to visit and spend the night with the Bendicksons after we arrived on Tuesday. A GAC Middle School mission team was there in Iowa serving widows with Heart Shot. John knew the adults leading the trip so I was excited about another connection. Wednesday, we were scheduled to tour Indian Hills Community College where one of the wrestling coaches would continue to recruit John to wrestle. Thursday morning we planned to fly home. But if we couldn’t get to Iowa in the first place, our plans were for naught.

On Tuesday, after all had boarded and a last call was made over the loud speaker for missing passengers, our names were announced. The kind lady recognized the relief on our faces and said, “When I hand you these tickets, walk through that jetway door and don’t look back.” We got the last two seats on the plane. Such occasions bring forth automatic praise. Our God who is in Heaven cares about our seemingly insignificant situations here on earth. We know God is with us whether we board the plane or not, but He does require faith.

My own experiences include several times of NOT getting on the plane, so I can’t be critical of John’s opinion of buddy pass travel. It is much easier holding a real ticket in your hand without the suspense of the unknown. But it is also true that I don’t talk to God nearly as much when I’m not ‘in need’… and I surely don’t praise Him as much as when prayers are answered.

By the way, our connections with the Bendicksons, the GAC mission team, and the wrestling coach worked out beautifully, as did our flight home. We are still praising God for an incredible trip!

Here’s one more side story: A real concern we had about the trip to Iowa was my blood counts. Because of my battered bone marrow, the pattern over the last several months has been to receive platelets at Emory every Tuesday and Friday and to receive a unit of blood most Fridays. The red blood cells supply energy; the platelets clot the blood. For me, low platelets result in frequent bleeding. Even on infusion days, I usually bleed from the port where a needle was inserted or from my nose. I nearly always bleed on the second day. Since platelets have the shortest life span of any of our blood cells, I always bleed the day before and the day I am due to get infused.

Last week, I received platelets on Monday; we flew out Tuesday; we flew home Thursday; I went to Emory Friday morning and received a unit of platelets. From Monday to Friday I never bled. Susan had told John he would have to take care of me if I got into health trouble, so I imagine he was praying… as were many others. I don’t think I’ve gone that long without bleeding since starting this new chemo regimen last August.

After receiving the platelets Friday, I woke up Saturday morning with a blood-stained t-shirt and have bled every day since. I guess things are back to normal. Think I should have stayed in Iowa?

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments,
and His paths beyond tracing out!
‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?’
‘Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?’
For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:33-36