This past week, one of my co-workers asked what my New Year’s Resolution was this past year.
I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. I do, however, settle on an intention. A word or phrase to guide my heart and actions for the year.
In year’s past my intentions have ranged from a year of listening, to a year of self care, hospitality, self-care, obedience, rejoicing, a year of deep study, etc.
But when my co-worker asked? I couldn’t remember.
I responded “This past year was about walking through open doors….that’s how I landed here.” (as i gestured around the classroom).
It was true. We had had many discussions, here at the Love Shack, about walking through the doors that open before us.
It was only much later that I remembered my yearly intention hadn’t been “walking through open doors” at all.
It was simply “Gone Fishing.”
Hot Stuff and I were both literally and figuratively “going fishing”.
We did this by posting a “gone fishing” notice on social media and taking an 8 month social media fast.
We were consciously separating ourselves from drama and unnecessary white noise. We were literally fishing weekly as well as making an effort to exemplify Christ to others.
Mathew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men
Make a friend. Be a friend. Bring a friend to Christ.
This was great for the first several months, then Hot Stuff and I simply forgot to be intentional. We are a bit fickle that way.
Hot Stuff and I got sidetracked with Zombie movie marathons and hustling to make ends meet. We did, however, decide to walk through the opportunities before us.
So in fishing terms, we “tried the other side”
John 21:6 (NIV): “He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”
When we figuratively “tried the other side” and walked through the doors before us..I began working at a nature based pre-school. So. Much. Fun.
Hot Stuff took a job at a bakery, that turned out to be an epic disaster. He did, however, minister quietly to many of his coworkers, who recognized him from one of his annual singing gigs.
When the bakery job stopped, Hot Stuff turned to Uber Delivery Driving.
For those of you who know him. My husband is legally blind. Yet, somehow, he was able to pass his eye exam for the drivers test. The idea of him driving as a part-time delivery driver? Never entered our minds.
Yet here he is. Several mornings a week simply delivering meals in our immediate neighborhood. The definition of a miracle playing out before us.
We have even started having weekly “Uber delivery dates” on Saturday mornings. I navigate. Hot Stuff picks up deliveries. We sing along with music on the car radio and just have fun.
By the grace of God, with two part time incomes, our bills get paid.
Scripture says “when they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large numbers of fish.”
When Hot Stuff and I walked through the unexpected doors, the ones “on the other side”, we found new friends. New ways to connect ourselves. We found the gift of time to renew connections with old friends we had lost touch with.
One of these reconnections encouraged me to start a faith based blog. I accepted the challenge, lazy writing and all.
I put my vulnerabilities out here every other week as I walk my own faith out. It is another door I continue to walk through.
Hot Stuff and I still have a roof over our heads, gas in our tank and food in the fridge. We have a housemate that fills our home with the sound of music and the smell of baked goods. We have a mischievous dog, and a cat who loves to tell on the dog while engaging in her own nonsense.
We call her “Stitch the Snitch.”
I have no idea what this next year’s intention will be. I am still praying on it.
But this I know, God has blessed us in ways we could never imagine in our year of both real and imaginary fishing.
faithuntamed 