They created Hooked on Daddy keepsakes for the children to present to their fathers when they were picked up today. Here are a few pictures of the keepsakes they made with just some drawing paper and washable Crayola Kid Paint. To their Fathers, I have no doubt they were all priceless masterpieces.
The activity reminded me of the times when I went fishing with my step-father in Galveston Bay, Texas. I think I was about six or seven. It sticks in my mind because it was the day that I caught the ugliest fish I had ever seen. I know my dad must have been laughing his heart out on the inside after the struggle I had landing what I knew had to be a prized trophy fish.
I was using an old Zebco closed face reel that to me seemed to only be good for creating bird's nests. It always got hung up on the crud that dwells on the bottom of the Bay. I learned my first lesson on why trash cans are located on the banks of fishing areas. I also learned that humans apparently thought throwing stuff in the Bay was much easier than throwing it in the trash can about five yards away.
Any way, there I was with my rod almost doubled over. My eyes were big as walnuts as I tried my best not to lose my balance and end up with all the trash. And then, success. I never would have dreamed fish would look like this one. I thought it had suffered from radiation poison or more likely been weaned on several barrels of West Texas Intermediate crude oil dumped by some of the barges lightering some of their bilge bottoms. My step-father said he thought it was a dog fish. If it was, I thought, it must have been hit by an ugly stick.
I found a picture of a dog fish online and it was a species of shark. This did not look even remotely like a shark. These two are the closest pictures I could come up with. At left is a Snakehead fish, at right is what someone wrote was a Red Irish Lord. Make it more slender and that was it. I think you get the picture. Naturally, I wouldn't even take it off the hook. But, my step-father took it in stride and called it "bait."
Father's and sons going fishing are opportunities to bond and explore. They are also opportunities for fathers to share the Gospel with their sons. I pulled a bunch of Scriptures that I could have posted. The Scripture about becoming fishers of men seemed perfect.
Matthew 4:18-20
18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea ; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, "Follow * Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
And then a friend of mine passed on a YouTube video that literally brought tears to my eyes when I heard it. I will post it here for you to enjoy. (Click on the link if you have trouble seeing the video God Loves to Talk to Little Boys While They're Fish'in).
Fathers, enjoy your time with your sons, raise them in the way they should go and they will not depart from it when they reach that age when they prefer to make their own decisions.
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