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The Power of the boat.

I love fishing. We finally reached our destination. Which was so isolated we only had outhouses. Ok, I know I just lost some of you. We were so excited to get fishing we just dropped the boats in the water and took off. My brother-in-law was in one boat with one of the guys and I was in the other with another guy. We were a couple 100 feet away from each other when I heard the scream and then saw the wave over. As I approached he starts telling me about the biggest northern pike he had ever caught. It was tied to the boat with whatever he could find because he forgot his live chain. As he reaches over to get the rope and pull up the pike to show me, the line goes limp and he reveals the fish got off. Immediately there is a splash just off the side of the boat and a huge pike lets us know he got off.

So what does this have to do with connection. A lot. I have yet to find a place where guys open up and connect more than in a fishing boat. It may start off as just chatting but quickly moves to the important things in life. I have prayed with guys, encouraged guys and challenged guys while waiting for the next fish to strike. 

I have been out with the toughest guys and when you start to talk about the Lord and God's amazing creation they melt and begin to tear up. Its life to us. This connection is essential to my well being, when its missing I'm just not quite right. 

For you it might not be fishing, it might be golf or the tough mudder or coffee with the girls. We need connection. Some not as much as others, but we all need it.  Fishing with the guys is my crew. Essential to my health. 

THINK: So what or who is your crew? If you have been a while without that connection or a crew its time to change that. Everyone needs a crew. 

REFLECT: Quotes 

  •   connecting with others can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems. By neglecting our need to connect, we put our health at risk.    - Unknown
  • Four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship to God while the other six deal with our relationships with people. But all ten are about relationships.       - Rick Warren

 

ACTIVATE:   Do this...

  • Go out with the guys or girls and do something fun together. 
  • We need to connect, laugh and just have fun together. Its Essential
  • YES, even if you're an introvert like me... connect. Its essential. 

PRAY/COMMIT: Lord, I ask for the grace to risk again. To form new connections and renew old ones. I ask you to help me find a crew. I look forward to you opening new doors of connection that I will bravely walk through.  

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works-Hebrews 10:24  ESV

"Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them towards acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love." Hebrews 10:24 TPT