Fishfinder

Greetings,

John 21:6 “Jesus said, “‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”

I’ve never been much of a fisherman.  The whole putting the bait on a hook and reeling in a suffocating animal does not appeal to me.  Plus, my mind tends to over-dramatize things, so I start to imagine the fish’s mom will lose her mind trying to find her baby and die of depression…

And yet, I once succumbed to the pressure, put on me by my husband, Jorge, who LOVES fishing, and I went out for the day.

I did not bait my own hook; it was too gross.  But I did cast the line into the crystal-clear waters off Biscayne Bay.  It did not take long to feel a tug on the line, and I admit, it was kind of thrilling.  I reeled in what I thought would be for sure a four-foot giant, but it was a grunt.  It was still big enough to be filleted, floured, and fried later that night. 

Jorge says it was all possible because of the “special spot” he took us to, and he found it with the help of a fishfinder, which shows just where the fish are lurking.  Apparently, there are plenty of places under the deep blue sea where fish gather and do not gather – places where they are in abundance and places where they avoid going altogether. Some fish like to go deeper to avoid warm temperatures, and other fish enjoy coral reefs because they can hide from larger predatory fish.  But the fishfinder always, well, finds the fish.   

I like that word – fishfinder – and it is a perfect description of our Lord because HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE “FISH” ARE.

He knows where we should cast the net and where doing so would be a huge waste of time, maybe even dangerous.  He knows where we should go and how to get us there.  He speaks to us through the Bible, and He answers prayer.  He knows what we need and when we need it.  

Jorge is in the real estate rehabbing business.  I always ask the Lord to guide him to the good deals and to help him avoid the bad ones - to let Jorge discover any hidden problems during the inspection period.  Jesus knows where the best business is.  

Every area of our lives can benefit from the Fishfinder.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, show us where to go fishing.  We want to discover the things that lead to joy, peace, blessing, hope, faith, unity, and love.  We want to avoid everything and anything that is counterproductive to our well-being and our families’ well-being.  You are the One Who knows all the dangers out there.  Guide us and give us wisdom.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~    

 

Isa's Eulogy - One Final Thought

Isa's Eulogy - One Final Thought

Tomorrow it will be three weeks that my mother-in-law passed away after a brief battle with lymphoma.  I had the high honor of speaking at her memorial service because her beloved sons and husband simply could not.  So as I thought about what possible words I could use to express the deep love and respect we had for her and that she had for us I said...

*******************

"The greatest testament of our love is our unity as a family, while we enjoyed her on this earth and as she departed."  

*******************

I am proud of the FACT that we, initially Isa, her husband, her son, Alex, her son, Jorge, who is my husband, and me, when I joined this beautiful family in 1986, all got along! And not in some sort of I-will-tolerate-you-because-you are my-family-through-marriage forced way, but in a WOW! This-is-a-great-family-to be-a-part-of! Let's enjoy ourselves!

And then as our clan expanded to eventually include another daughter-in-law, six grandchildren, and two grandchildren-in-law, each was welcomed like the gift from God they are, and our parties got bigger and better. Our dinners got louder and more informal, and I repeat, not once in 30 years was there ever a rift or even a slight commotion.

Even the church Pastor who also spoke at the Memorial Service said, "Every time my wife and I would leave this house we prayed that God would give our kids a desire to stick close by and come back and hang out with us often.  We felt as though sharing with the Fernandez Family was a brief glimpse into what heaven might look like.  United families having fun and fellowshipping..."

Now, I realize that not all families are sunshine and roses.  In my own family, my father left my dear mother and fractured my four siblings and me sending us into a tailspin of despair and dysfunction.  It was such a mess and disappointing heartbreak that I craved the normalcy and lighthearted approach to life that my in-laws offered me. My mother-in-law, especially, the quintessential heart of the family, worked hard to keep us all  huddled close.  She orchestrated yearly trips to the beach in the summer and the mountains in the winter. Everyone was always welcomed with open arms, and it was impossible to ever leave her house hungry.  If any of us had a need, my in-laws were there to help.  They ran to us with open arms and open wallets and a willingness to get out of bed in the middle of the night if there was an emergency. I was so profoundly blessed to see that this is how a family should be and could be because, sadly, unfortunately, my family was not like this at all - not even a little bit.

Some of you might identify more closely with my experience then with the way things were and will continue to be with my husband's family.  Maybe there are disagreements or disappointments or unfair behavior that is threatening to pull your family apart.  What is the solution?

1 Peter 3:9 "Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing [pray for one another's well-being, contentment, and protection].  That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it."

In other words, don't take the bait. Don't stoop to bad reactions and bad behavior when confronted with ugliness. Don't heap abuse on top of abuse. God says it's possible to bless instead; this is His perfect advice.  God brings you well-being and happiness when you do!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for families.  As imperfect as they can sometimes be, we are also grateful for the love and comfort they provide.  We each have a personal responsibility to do our part and keep our cool no matter what so that our families stay united.  We are called to pray even for those who offend us the most.  Help us, Lord, because when we do things Your way, WE WILL BE HAPPY! In Jesus' name, AMEN.