The First, the Last, the Most, and the Biggest

For over twenty-five years, I held a special title for catching the first, the last, the most, and the biggest when Jon and I went fishing. It was always fun to boast about my title, which I did often and rather gleefully, but truth be told, the only reason Jon did not hold that title was because he was busy baiting my hook and cleaning my fish! It was a family joke, and it is a memory that brings me joy and continues to speak volumes about Jon’s character and his love for me. We had a lot of fun over the years. Some of the best times were when we were first married and had a fourteen-foot-long wooden skiff we would take out.

It was small, which made it quick and easy to take over to Knudsen Cove and launch into the wild blue yonder for the day or the weekend.

We would save up so that we could split a hamburger and have hot chocolate at Clover Pass, or more often, we would pack a lunch. It did not matter if it was raining; in fact, we always fared better on rainy days. They sometimes make for better fishing. This brings me to this thought: Jesus said in Matthew, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people” (Matthew 4:19, NASB). And in Luke, He said, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish” (Luke 5:4, NLT). I would not have caught any fish—let alone, the first, last, most, and biggest—if Jon had not said, “Let’s go fishing,” and taken me out into the deep water where the fish were in great abundance. Today I am a different kind of fisher because I answered the call to follow Jesus and learn to fish His way. Now it is about letting Him take me out into the deep water because He knows all about who to fish for and when, where, and how to fish for them. All I have to do is follow Him, and He will bait my hook. Best of all, He cleans and sorts my fish! At the beginning of the day, I love the thrill of heading out for an adventure with the One who loves me most, and at the end of the day, it is my prayer He will be well pleased, just like Jon was, as He looks at our catch.

Tawny Sportsman