Along the way, I spotted three turtles on one of the logs lying just above the water. They were busy sunning themselves. As the sun rose higher and the temperature rose with it, a kingfisher swooped low and circled, feasting on the many insects hovering over the pond.

When I got to the end of the pond there were a lot of weeds and moss and I decided to try my rubber frogs. I diligently began to cast again, going by the book. I was hanging in there, calm and patient, believing that a bass would be springing out of the water any minute. I had one good strike and I thought I had him on my line, but I lost him.

I went back to my power worms, but still nothing. At this point I felt frustrated and discouraged. Then I heard the Lord speak to my heart.

Would you have come out on this peaceful pond, on this beautiful morning if you had known beforehand that you were not going to catch any bass?

What? I responded a little taken back. If I had known that I wasn't going to catch anything?

Yes. Haven't you had a good time just being here?

Well, yeah, I responded grudgingly.

I want you to see things in the right way. You need to be here, on the bass pond, because it's soothing to your soul, it's relaxing. And it brings me glory and joy just to see you, my child, at rest and enjoying the creation I made. You are bringing me glory when you simply go out in your boat and smile and laugh and try to catch bass. If you catch fish great, but if you don't, that's fine too. Because what's really great is simply loving and resting in my direction for your life.

I circled back around the pond and hooked a few more weeds. So with a chuckle I took out my camera and snapped my picture, in the midst of God's peace and beauty, holding up my catch for the day.

First published in Cornerstone (ISSN 0275-2743), Vol. 28, Issue 116 (1999), p. 11
© 1999 Cornerstone Communications, Inc.
Electronic version may contain minor changes and corrections from printed version.