Note: The following article is a firsthand account written by Ann Lovell, wife of TBMB staffer — and fishing enthusiast — Joe Lovell.
FRANKLIN — A group of Tennessee pastors recently headed to Florida for a deep-sea fishing trip. Men who spend week after week dispensing hope sometimes need their own hope replenished.
The night before they launched, a local Florida pastor — their guide — gathered them for orientation. Excitement filled the room, fueled by fresh grouper and snapper caught that morning in the Gulf and deep-fried outside the church fellowship hall.
“How many of you are doing this for the first time?” the pastor asked.
A handful raised their hands.
Later, the conversation led to another important question.
“Do you want lots of fish or big fish?”
“Big fish!” most answered without hesitation.
I’ve been married to a fisherman for more than 40 years. He has fished rivers, lakes and creeks across the country, as well as in Africa and offshore in Hawaii, Alaska, North Carolina, Florida and the Philippines.
I’ve seen the anticipation, the hope and the expectation.
The catch hasn’t always lived up to the dream, but I’ve never seen him come home disappointed after a day on the water.
The next afternoon, I received a text.
“Heading back.”
“How’d it go?” I asked.
“Slow,” he replied. “But we had fun. A few big ones.”
Just enough to sustain the hope. Sometimes that’s all a guy needs to keep casting. B&R — Note: The fishing trip included several Tennessee Baptist pastors and was part of the TBMB’s Off the Grid opportunities, which encourage pastors and ministry leaders to enjoy fellowship and recharge spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Contact Joe Sorah at jsorah@tnbaptist.org for info about Off the Grid events.