Keep A-Fishing

If you strike a thorn or rose,
Keep a-goin'!
If it hails or if it snows,
Keep a-goin'!
"Taint no use to sit an' whine
When the fish ain't on your line;
Bait your hook an' keep a-tryin'-
Keep a-goin'!

These words of Frank L. Stanton (born 2/22/1857; died 1/7/1927) reminded me of our camp at Toledo Bend. Fishermen are out in their boats riding the rather "rough" waters in order to try and catch their limit of fish. We are just beginning to see signs of Spring, and already, the fishermen have lowered their nets. Spawning season is here and the fishermen can't wait to try their hand at the first catches of the new year. In spite of the cold, wind, and rain, they "Keep a-goin'!"

We are presently in the Lenten Season. As I try to find things to read for this important season of the church year, I begin to get the urge to jump forward into Spring. I try to slow down the pace and take in all the beauty that has been given to me by God...buds on the redbud trees, tassels on the oak trees, flowers on the azalea bushes and bridal wreaths, and birds of the air coming back to their old familiar places...they, too "Keep a-goin'!"

Today, I read that getting lost with God is like getting lost on the road. It often leads to unexpected encounters and events, but gives us new ways to reach our final destination. My daughter and I have found this to be so true in some of our travels together. As we travel to various places and get "lost" on our way, we find all kinds of adventure awaiting us on our wrong turns in the roads. We have managed to see and do things not found on maps as we "Keep a-goin'!"

As the new year unfolds, I am reminded of the many things I have planned for the year. A trip to Missouri for one of my grandsons' basketball tournaments, Easter week at North Toledo Bend State Park with family and friends, a trip to take one of my granddaughters to see some of the grandeur of the United States out west, a trip to Hodges Gardens to view all the splendor of flowering trees and bushes, and the many trips to relax at our camp at Toledo Bend...I, too "Keep a-goin'!"

Yes, there are many bends in our journey here on earth, but if we "Keep a-goin'!" even when the going gets tough, what a blessing we'll find at the end of the long traveled road.