Freshwater Fish of North America
(Based on Matthew 4:18-23)
By Shelley M. Reed
My son and I enjoy putting puzzles together. It is one way we bond.
“Freshwater Fish of North America”.
Not the most interesting topic, but always the topic of conversation with my father, who constantly lives, breathes, and chatters fishing. The result is me, a daughter who has encountered most of the species spattered all over the pieces in front of me. I remember the thrill of reeling in perch, blue gills, and the coveted small mouth bass.
My dad would often embellish the experience when we got home as most fishermen do.
“It was HUGE!”
“Boy was he a fighter! Your pole was bent in half!”
I believe nothing happens by accident, so I asked the Lord, “Why did my son Race pick this puzzle?” I have been starring at fish for hours the last couple of weeks. First, individual pieces everywhere, then a frame, then fish of all kinds. All different shapes, sizes, colors, and designs emerging one by one on the canvas. The tiny, colorful sunfish, the fierce small mouth bass, the persevering brook trout, and the enormous salmon. All different. All special. All created unique in their own way with a specific job in its ecosystem.
Then that statement that Jesus made to Peter and his brother Simon came flooding into my mind. They were just going about their regular day. Casting their nets hoping for a big catch that would give them bragging rights to their cohorts. But then suddenly they encountered Jesus, the Savior of the world. He chased them down. He gave them their new calling…
“Follow me, and I will make you FISHERS OF MEN.”
A fisher of men.
That excitement and adrenaline I felt as a child when I hooked the big one. Flipping and flopping in the boat. Squeals and giggles. That same exhilaration. NO, even more. It is an eternal calling. It is an eternal catch. My primary job is not teaching, writing or even parenting. It is being a fisher of men.
As that puzzle evolved in front of me, I realized that this is an illustration of my life. My blank canvas is being filled with fish. Am I fervent and focused in answering His call on my life to follow Him. Piece by piece. Encounter upon encounter. Some family, some strangers, some friends. All crossing my path for an eternal reason so someday when I face my Lord and Savior, I hope I can cackle and shriek and jump for joy while I share with Him…
“THANK YOU!! MY CATCH WAS HUGE!”
Matthew 4:19
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Wow! This touched my heart! Thank you for writing this.
Mrs. Hocking,
I am so glad it encouraged you! Thanks for being a blessing to me!
Hey Girlie! Love the picture! Thanks for the reminder to be a fisher of men. Love the story and how God works through others to shine our purpose.
Glad you were encouraged! Yes, it fits our family well…ha! You know how my dad loves to fish! 🙂
What a reminder. A reminder to stay focused on our eternal calling as he gives us those people in our lives as a mother, friend, daughter, cousin, and aunt. A reminder to keep on fishing til that pole bends and God working in you to pull that catch!
I love you Abby! Bend that pole girlie!!! 🙂
How I love my beautiful daughter. Yes you are right fishing for the souls of men is really the big catch and the important catch, the eternal catch. I am so proud of you. You are such a blessing to my soul and life. If I have done anything right in my life it is to bring you and Julie up in the Word of God. Yes Shels I will continue to fish for the souls of Men the eternal catch. I bring you before my Lord and savior always in my prayers. You may be in Texas but you will always be right here close in my heart and the Lords.
Love you dad! Thank you SO much for your encouragement!
Absolutely awesome stuff Shelly! Kevin and I really are enjoying your God given visions! Keep casting girlie! 🐟🐠🍣🎣🐡🍤🎏🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
AMEN! So So glad you have been encouraged! Give Kevin a big hug for me and hope he is starting to feel better!