Fishing anyone?

My husband is not a fisherman. He doesn't own a pole, tackle or bait. Yet on this day, out with an experienced friend, he caught a beauty.

The poles were carefully prepared with the right hook and bait. All Kevin had to do was listen to his friend's instruction and then wait and watch until it was his time to reel one in.

The key for this successful fishing trip was the sharing that occurred.

The bible is full of verses that speak about the importance of sharing life together.

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
(Proverbs 11:14)

A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; for by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 24:5)

Every purpose is established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war. (Proverbs 20:18)

Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. (Proverbs 15:22)

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.(Proverbs 19:20)

Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. (Proverbs 19:27)

Simply translated

We need each other! 

Life is meant to be done together!

Can somebody help me?

Zip lining through a beautiful rain forest in Guatemala was a wonderful experience. With every trip, my eyes were overwhelmed by the waterfalls, Lake Atitlan and the vast green mountainside. I loved it and was sad when I went on the last course. I wanted more!

At the bottom there was something else for us to do. It looked like a serious of swings that you needed to step on, one at a time, to get to the end. There was a pile that everyone had thrown their gloves on before starting, so I also threw mine on top. I giggled to myself as I watched people wobble their way across."I can do better than that", I proudly declared to myself.

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

As I fell off the swing I received an excruciating rope burn on my left hand. As I sat there I asked, "Can somebody help me?" Nobody came. Lots of people gave me suggestions, but nobody could do it for me. Each time I tried to pull myself up the rope burn flared up, like a hot coal on my hand. "You can do it", I whimpered.  

At this point my whole team was watching and I felt the pressure of not being the "old lady" who fell and couldn't get up! 

I heard my husband's voice directing me and encouraging me.  As long as I listened to his voice I was comforted, directed and eventually victorious. When I got to the end of the course I went directly to the bathroom, placed my burning fingers under the water and yes, I began to cry!  

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Here are the lessons that I learned from this experience;

• Don't judge others.
• Things are more difficult than they may appear.
• If you fall, there is only one voice that you should listen to.
• His voice will lead and guide you if you will follow His directions.
• There are consequences to falling, and it may cause you pain.

Father, help me to hear your voice and yours alone!  Thank you for leading and guiding me. Jann