The big boss said to the little Boss (who happens to be bigger than the big boss), "Let's quit work an hour early and go fishing."

So they did.

(I'd say that's a pretty awesome boss.)

🙂

Ivor Davies Park in Molalla.The Boss fishermen three. . . or six, depending how you look at it.And my fisherman one. 🙂Lots of mud and water but not a lot of fish.Since the fly fishing didn't go too well, Eric tried to skewer a dead one in the water. . . I wonder how often they do stuff like that at work. 🙂

We had a good time. But soon after I was working on the initial draft of this post, I was listening to WORLD radio and hearing once again about the atrocities of ISIS. And thinking of the things the believers in the Middle East and around the world are suffering made my little fishing story seem insignificant and trivial in comparison. It made me feel like I should be doing more.

But what?

At this point in time there is nothing I can do about the actual problem and little I can do to alleviate the results of it.

I also thought about the fact that those people who are being persecuted now likely haven't always been persecuted. They were once just living life, too. They probably even went fishing. And enjoyed themselves.

We can't base our joy on the state of the world. Perhaps someday it will be us here in America who are called to suffer horribly. May God grant us the grace and the strength to stand tall. But in the meantime, let's take the blessings He gives us so freely and make the most of them.

And when He brings an opportunity to touch someone's life, take it. Those who are suffering under ISIS aren't the only ones who need the love of Jesus.

And when He reminds you to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, pray with the fervency that you would if you were the one suffering.

We all walk different paths. And those paths could change at any moment. So while you enjoy life, don't forget that it isn't just the believers in Syria and Iraq who are called to shoulder the cross. It is all of us who claim the name of Christ.

Look for the ways you can serve Him, even in everyday life. And make sure everyday life is what He has called you to. It's all too easy to stifle that still, small Voice in favor of what we are sure His will is for us.

And if it is everyday life that is His call for you right now, don't waste it. Use the time and the freedom you have now to prepare for the day when perhaps that freedom and the everyday joys of life are taken from you.

Don't be "gone fishing" when the Master comes calling. . .