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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Gone Fishing (02/01/07)
When Sam asked him if he wanted to go fishing with him, Jeff's first thought was to decline. Though they had been neighbors for over a year, they had not really become acquainted. Apart from the courteous greeting when both were out mowing the lawn or shovelling the walk, there hadn't been much association. So, when Sam asked Jeff, he was somewhat surprised and told Sam that he would get back to him. Sam's personality was one that Jeff thought could easily grate on a person. He spoke too loud, drove too fast, and as evidenced by the stacks of beer bottles in his porch window, drank too much. It appeared that they really had nothing in common, but of course, the fishing. Even though their conversations were limited, each found out that the other's favourite get-a-way was to the middle of a lake, dangling a freshly baited hook in the water and awaiting that first nibble.

Since Jeff's wife, Molly, was going visiting on the weekend, that presented an opportunity to do some fishing. So, Jeff phoned Sam and made arrangements to go. Through common knowledge Jeff knew a few facts about his neighbor. Sam's wife had lost a hard-fought battle with cancer just months before Sam's move to their area. He told others that he needed a change because so much of his previous home reminded him of his wife and the hurt was unbearable.

Jeff and Sam were to leave for Lake Blue early Saturday morning. They would return home in the evening. Lake Blue was unfamilar to Jeff. The lake that he went to was closer, so that he could fish for a couple of hours while Molly was at her ladies Bible study.

Saturday morning arrived clear and sunny. Jeff and Sam climbed into Sam's truck and headed toward Lake Blue. Their conversation was a little stiff at first. They had some things in common, both being the same age and having grown up in the same general area. The conversation was carried on in this pleasant but superficial manner until they arrived at the lake.
They got into the boat and pushed off unto the lake. It was obvious that the fish were hungry because before long they had three each. They soon discovered that not only the fish were hungry and motored toward the shore where their bagged lunches awaited them.

After lunch they relaxed for awhile in the shade of an old shed. The conversation flowed easily now, with a comradry born on the lake. They traded stories of youth, family and the events that brought them up to the present. A shadow of sadness crept over Sam's face. The carefree day became a little less so and a cloud, as though beckoned by the change in mood, stole into the clear sky. Jeff listened while Sam recounted the loss of his wife and his subsequent bewilderment and pain. His statements often ended with a question as he sought yet again to come to grips with where life had brought him. At one point he turned to Jeff and asked in the most sincere of tones, "Do you believe there is more to life than what is here and now?"

Jeff, not really expecting this direct question, paused, prayed silently and said, "Yes, I do. The Bible says there is." Not knowing how this response would be received, he prepared himself for the emotion that it may prompt in Sam's heart.

Sitting silently, Sam looked out to the lake, the heavens mirrored in its placid surface. He said, "My wife, Sue, said there was too. She was so brave facing her last days. She was brave enough for both of us. It is only after she has gone that I realize how deep my aloneness is. She told me that she was going to heaven to be with Jesus, who loved and saved her. I am not a good man and how can I ever be able to follow her? I am no longer satisfied with what this life offers. There has to be more." He looked at Jeff with pleading eyes.

In the eternity of the moment they spoke together until the sadness left Sam's eyes and a light shone forth that had not been there before. The trip to the lake was taken by two men but the trip back was taken by two brothers in the Lord.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
02/09/07
Good story, with a really good ending. There's a lot of "telling" here rather than "showing", and watch the spelling of "camaraderie." A good lesson for us to be neighborly and alert for opportunities to share the gospel.
Jacquelyn Horne
02/10/07
Good story. Ilike the phrase "in the eternity of the moment". It captures the mood well.