I love being out on the boat. Yesterday, after church, my family and I headed to one of our favorite beaches. We didn’t just drive up to the white sandy shore and park our feet in the sand. No, with the Shuff crew, there is usually a boat in tow. As soon as we pulled away from the dock and were facing the water, an “Ahhhh” moment washed over me. The sun was shining and the breeze was just enough to be refreshing and not make the water rough. We cruised our way to a restaurant where we docked our boat and ate while looking over the water.

While enjoying lunch, Tim looked across the way and said “After we eat we can go over there and catch some trout for a while if you want to.”  Absolutely! We had no set plans in mind.  We just wanted to be on the water enjoying family time. Well, after the bill was paid, we set out for the destination to fish. I was in heaven. I was sitting up in the tower of our boat watching all three of my children cast their line into the glistening water. Hunter, the eldest, was the first to hook up. Then, Holly had success. Cole was getting a bit discouraged (they are competitive in fishing), until daddy told him to cast his line over into a certain direction and proceeded to explain to Cole why that was a good location. Cole didn’t ask why or argue with his daddy, he just did it in faith.  The first cast into the area where Tim told him to, the rod began to bend and a fish was hooked. Woohoo!
In this morning’s scripture reading in Luke 5 Jesus was teaching from a boat. In verses 4 and 5 we read, “When He had finished speaking, Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” What do you think happened? They had caught so many fish that another boat had to come help them, and they were so full of fish they began to sink. Yep, God said what to do, they did it, and there was an overabundance of success. God is so amazing!
Don’t be discouraged when things don’t work out your way. Put your trust in the Lord, and allow Him to do what is best. When He says to do something, just do it. Do it without necessarily asking why. (I said necessarily because we often do ask why, even if it is to make sure, to discern, that that is what God is telling us to do.) Do it just because He said so.

One of Hunter's trout.

The boat where it all happened this day.

Not from this day, but a scene I love... all my babies fishing together.