Catfish in the Tank

There’s a story about a fishing company that deep sea fished for restaurant owners off the east coast. Before the ship would return home, the live fish caught and dropped into a holding tank were going to the bottom of the tank and dying. But one day a sea catfish accidentally got in the tank. Those are trash fish, not good for anything. But the captain noticed that with that catfish in the tank, when the other fish would grow lethargic, the catfish, seeing them as easy dinner, would nibble on them. Not wanting to be eaten alive, the fish would swim away. When they docked, the catch that day was fully alive. The catfish was what was causing the fish to stay alive. So the captain started capturing catfish and placing one in the tank so that his fish would arrive to shore alive.

Last fall I had what some might call a mountaintop experience. I had immersed myself in Bible study, digging more deeply than I’ve ever dug. I’ve had other seasons where my Bible study reaped high results. But following that season I felt closer to God than I’ve ever felt. Never had my path felt more sure. I could see what was ahead, what I was supposed to do next. I understood some things about God that rang so true, I thought I was getting at least a taste of what it was like to be a spiritual giant. I also knew that while I couldn’t live on the “mountain” forever, that what I would take back down would have lasting benefit that would translate into a transformative experience. It was like cycling to the top of a hill and then finally enjoying the ride coasting all the way down.

Then I ascended back into what Paul calls “this body of death.” I had to return to life as a mortal. It wasn’t long until life changes as well as disappointments became a weight on top of me.

When we ascend into a valley, we can question our faith. We start to wonder if the mountaintop was real because the reality of the valley is so heavy. But there is a lot going on besides what you’re feeling at the time. The weights you’re carrying, that seemingly have been thrown on your shoulders without your permission, are helping you build endurance. Perhaps you’ve been complacent in your decisions, believing that whether you choose A or B, neither is a bad choice. But in the valley, you see clearly the truth behind your decisions as well as your indifference—you weren’t made for mediocrity. Just lifting your feet and allowing life to carry you along can take you over a cliff. So these wake up calls alert you to the fact that the choices you make are a privilege and a responsibility. This “body of death” carries within it the capacity to make us into beings that can accomplish much more than daily life implies we might accomplish.

The catfish in our tank is a reminder that we can’t just go to the bottom of life and die. God wants us to arrive home having lived life on earth fully alive.

We're Not So Different

Ever want to lie down and die? Hide under the bed? Think you’re the only person in the world who has your problems? That everyone hates you and that you don’t have one real friend left in the world? So did Elijah.

Ever think your dad's not telling you everything? That your sibling hates you? That other men are after your wife? That your kids fight and behave worse than everyone else’s kids? Meet Isaac.

Ever think that your dreams will never come true? That there’s a conspiracy against you? That lies are being spread about you? Daniel knew events before they happened, yet he spent most of his coming-of-age years enslaved.

Ever think that your past is worse than everyone else’s past? That men will never stop using you? That you’ll never get a break or find acceptance in anyone of importance’s eyes? So did a woman who stopped for bottled water. She found approval in the eyes of the Master of the Universe disguised in carpenter’s clothes.

Ever think that your way is right, that your religion will trump all others until you’re dumbstruck one day to realize you were wrong all along? That you missed God by miles because you didn’t know him as well as you thought? Paul, a man of high religious pedigree, called himself “the chief of sinners.”

Because we go through so many difficulties and make choices that turn out horribly wrong we think that our struggles are what keep us from attaining any sort of great purpose in life. We start to believe that it’s our problems that keep us from reaching into life and pulling out the wondrous plum of happiness that will finally make us realize why we’re here. But it’s in the middle of problems and crisis that all of these people came to realize their dependence on God. Just when each person thought his or her days as a major player was over, God stepped in and showed that His playing field had a different playbook. Are you going through a season of sorrow? Does it seem like you can’t depend on friends to support you when you need them most? Do family members disappoint you? The questions swirling around your wonderful mind have been circulating since ancient times. We haven’t evolved at all. We’re just as dependent on our Creator as the first family that introduced dysfunction into humankind.
PH

North Carolina Mountains

Jared wanted to go to the mountains for spring break. So we loaded up him and some friends and headed for Boone. They wormed their way into an Annuals concert and then the next morning we all went our own ways, shopping and eating our way up to Blowing Rock.

If I could live in two places, the second place would be Blowing Rock. If you haven't been there, it's a mountain village with all sorts of small shops and some decent eateries. Lots of local art, especially now that a new shop has opened up called ArtWalk.

Visiting Blowing Rock is like going back to the 50's where you sense that everyone in town knows one another's names. It's also time for trout fishing, so time to pull out my weighters and lures.

What to Reveal

I’m going through some changes right now. We’re downsizing in preparation for becoming empty nesters. My youngest will fly the coop this coming summer and head off for college. I’ve got a new novel coming out this summer that is more revelatory than even Katrina’s Wings.

In preparation for media interviews, I’ve recently outlined the story of my past deciding which parts to put in and which to leave out, hoping that what I leave in is beneficial and that what I leave out stays left out.

Deciding what parts of the self to show to others is something we women decide all of the time. We evaluate ourselves all of the time too: Should I have confessed that? Will I be judged now that they know?

When I was growing up, there were testimonies floating around that were “tell-all” stories. It seemed that rising stars were trying to one-up each other to prove who had the worst past. The truth is we all have a past. Being authentic is about taking off the mask so that we all see that we’re not perfect. It helps me to judge whether or not I’m growing and maturing to read my own timeline. But sharing authentically should not drag me back into the past so that my mistakes can be picked over. Sharing your story should not exploit you, but simply show that you are a pilgrim like everyone else.

Still, I do it with fear and trepidation.

What He Came to Do

Setting: Pilate’s Court, just before Christ’s sentencing.
“What is truth?” the Roman procurator, Pilate asked of Christ. In Pilate’s day as in our own society, truth had become nothing short of an opinion. But here the Lord declares His purpose for having left behind the splendor of heaven: to bear witness to the truth. God came to earth to not only define truth, but to hold Himself up as the only legitimate measure for it. Here Jesus stood before a ruler who had set himself up as the authority for all. While haughty authority set out to squash truth, it rose like a glorious song drawing those who would listen to the very heart of God.

“For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
John 18:37


Excerpted from the Women of Faith Devotional Bible; Patricia Hickman, contributor.

In Memory

Memorial

Today is Memorial Day for Christians. We remember the life sent from heaven to die on the battlefield of humanity for all of us. Jesus came from his Father’s throne room with marching orders—save them! Then he breathed his last breath and passed on those marching orders to us mortals below—love them. Feed my sheep.

“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

On this, our blessed Memorial Day, a very good Friday, take a moment to reflect on what has been passed on to you to give out to your neighbors. A cup of water, an encouraging word, the Word of Truth. You are the light of the world. Remember and shine.

A song welled up in the singer's heart

(Like a song in the throat of a bird),

And loud he sang and far it rang--

For his heart was strangely stirred;

And he sang for the very joy of song.

With no thought of one who heard.

Within the listener's wayward soul

A heavenly patience grew.

He fared on his way with a benison

On the singer who never knew

How the careless song of an idle hour

Had shaped a life anew.

--ALLISON WILLIAMS BROTHERTON

We thank Thee, dear Father, for the early thoughts of Thy unfailing love.

The clouds darken the sky, and the air is heavy with mist, thus changing the

days plans, but we will not be disturbed or withhold our notes of praise. Help

us to be so receptive that the inner light may shine forth to Thy glory. May our

eyes be anointed and our ears open to the Spirit's leadings that no opportunity

to help or comfort others be unnoted. Hear our cry for the bruised, burdened, imprisoned

souls, especially for those for whom no one else will pray. Remember them with

great tenderness, for Thy mercy is everlasting. The love of Jesus gives hope for all.

Bless His dear name! Amen.

--SUSAN HAMMOND BARNEY

The Need For a Happier Ending

Our dear friend and Safehouse contact recently discussed the plight of the victims of human trafficking with an entrepreneur who told her this story: A young Moldavian woman, believing she was getting employment through an American contact, was kidnapped and brought to the states. She was abused and used ten times a day by male clients and beaten by the man who had kidnapped her. She became so disease-ridden she could no longer perform. After another beating, she escaped and contacted a safehouse director who told her how to catch a bus where they would be waiting for her at the trip’s end. But then the man from whom she escaped ran her down. When her bus stopped for a break, the bus driver was paid off and he would not let her back on the bus even though she had a ticket paid all the way through her destination. When the bus drove away, she was abducted again, but this time, beaten to death. She did not make it.

This prompted some dialogue that raised questions about how to better serve the rescue process. Some solutions are in the works to help make the victim’s rescue a safe one.

I’m so sorry to share these types of things. I’d rather talk about parenting or how to be a better writer. But this story brings home the importance of rescue work on behalf of women and children who have been turned into modern day slaves. The sad news is that it’s believed that up to 200 slaves are kept in this manner in every major city here in the U.S.

I want to thank those of you who made our recent endeavors a reality. One day you’ll tell your grandchildren about slavery in America and what you did to help bring it to an end.