Fishing Trip

A couple of weeks back I had the pleasure of going on a fishing trip to the beautiful south coast of NSW. The exact location? Well I have just plum forgotten. But I know that when the time is right, i.e. the next fishing trip, my memory will recall the exact place and venue.

I was really looking forward to this trip as I had heard so much about it from so many. When the trip was first announced I didn't get in quick enough and missed the chance to go, but then at the last minute a spare spot came up and the legendary organiser Jason Cutting slotted me in.

Being a 5pm Friday finisher, and having an empty family car, I was pleased that I was able to have the company of Rob, Leon and AJ for the trip down the coast. What a trip it was!

No I didn't speed or put the car on two wheels to see if everyone now thought I could be a professional stunt driver. We just all had a good talk. About everything and anything. It was not just about sharing wisdom, but also knowledge and talking about some of the challenges we face as men.

For the women folk reading, seriously, these challenges included how we could all sew better, that folding the washing is a brilliant idea and the in-depth and rowdy conversation on what brand of rice steamer is the best. I suppose you just had to be in the car to really know what we talked about but I will say Rob's story of how he popped the question was great :D

It was nice though to know a little more about everyone, to just talk and share our love of God. Even better to do that over a seafood dinner at Bateman's Bay, yummy! I am just so proud of all of us men saying no to those chips! Well at least 1% of them anyway!

We shared some more stories before arriving safely at our destination. Amazing how many stars you can see in the sky away from the night lights of a city, and the smell of the salt air and the sound of waves gently crashing onto a beach made that moment just a bit more special.

The next day was awesome - from the very first second to the very last before I left the camp early so I could get back home to usher the next day. It was great to wake up and smell the salt air linger in the air and then to see the magnificent blue of the ocean. Most of us had got up early to pray or to go fishing or to just catch up with other men, to talk and share some fellowship time.

It was great walking around the camp, seeing why it was just such a special place, and to go into a cabin and just relax and do whatever. The BBQ lunch was fantastic, nothing like a BBQ to make everyone feel that bit more relaxed.

That afternoon I walked down to the beach with several others. Some went fishing, some went swimming, some played games and some did it all! Yeah! Me? I walked down to the waters edge and just stood and looked out at the ocean. The first week I was born again I felt like I had just through a door and walked out onto a beach that looked out onto a massive blue ocean.

That ocean represented everything I was still to learn about God, and life. But it also represented the beginning of that journey, of walking with God. So standing on that beach was a time of reflection for me. Of what I had learnt, about my relationship with God, and my relationship with others, and, as my Dad says, there are only opportunities ahead for me, not problems.

That moment was perfect, a beautiful sunny day that was neither hot nor cold and very few clouds in the sky. Just awesome. I will put some photos up of that day, but it just doesn't do it justice. That moment was thanks to Jesus. He made it all possible. And perfect.

I spent the rest of the afternoon just enjoying the breeze and watching the sea eagle fly overhead on the currents of warm air rising off the steep hill that the camp was on. And of course having some great moments of fellowship.

All too soon the day was over and it was time to return home. I was blessed enough to have AJ, and following behind in his car Jono, for the journey home. An amazing trip for the fact just outside Batemans Bay we drove through a massive thunderstorm, but without the hail. Thank you Lord!

I can now see why so many men love going on the fishing trip. There were heaps of fish caught, Raul and Aaron caught bucket loads of everything from salmon to shark, but the chance to have some fellowship, to provide each other with strength and guidance on the issues that face men, well that was what the trip was really all about.

I think Ecclesiates 4:9-12 is not too bad when it comes to understanding the importance of the trip:

9: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10: For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11: Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12: And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Thanks to everyone who helped organise the trip, especially Craig and Jason. I can't wait till next year.

God Bless.