Fishing

Have you ever been fishing? It is quite the activity! There is so much anticipation and unknown going into it. How many fish will I catch? How long will it take to catch my first fish? For some individuals it can be one of the most fun things, while others it is far from enjoyable. When you do get a bite, sometimes it can feel so subtle and if you don't react quickly you will miss the fish. Other times, it is obvious you have gotten a bite and you have to act quickly and reel it in. It is easy to get discouraged in fishing - especially if you don't come home with many fish.

Our prayer lives can sometimes feel like fishing. There are times where we put out our intention and have to wait a while before we are prompted to act or see something. These are times where God is calling us to be quiet and possibly reflect. Sometimes we get a bite or rather insight quickly and it is obvious from the tugging happening a need to act. Other times, it is more subtle and you have to really be in tune to what you are focusing on to feel the nudge to act. Sometimes it seems that in our prayer lives all our intentions are being answered and other times it can seem only 1 or 2 of our intentions are being answered and quiet, reflective, and waiting is necessary. Like fishing, our prayer lives can sometimes feel discouraging.

Fishing and praying can be challenging or discouraging at times. Quietly reflecting and waiting for a bite is hard and not always the most fun. Some days are better than others with catching fish, but regardless of how many fish are caught or prayer intentions given to our Lord, that time was well spent growing in patience and knowledge. There will always be fish caught, in His time.

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Father in Heaven,

There are times for quiet reflection and times for action in our lives. Help us to openly sense what and where you are calling us to be in this moment. Give us the graces we need in our quiet reflection to be patient and open to the unknown. When we are prompted to act, help us to be focused on that mission and do it well. 

In your name,

Amen. 

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth