Why Do We Do It?

Why do we do it? "Standing in a river waiving a stick" as one author puts it. For hours. For days. Thinking about it when we're not doing it. Intrusive thoughts of doing it while at work or when spending time with a spouse or in church. Why? My wife encourages me to do it, knowing there is purpose beyond putting off chores around the house and coming home smelling of fish and cigars. A purpose beyond the simple fun of it and of the male comradeship sometimes involved. Lately I've been asking why I do this "stick waiving." And while there are several very good reasons why, it mostly boils down to one thing. It makes me feel big. It always has. From the first trip I took with dad proudly looking on to my most recent outing. There's something about standing in the middle of a big river and setting a hook and having a fish on that creates a sense of feeling big. There's something special in going out into the river and enticing a fish and after landing the fish and marveling at its beauty, releasing it to be caught another day. It's this getting out away from everything made of concrete and enjoying God's creation, and to rule over it, and to show mercy, and to realize the mercy shown me in that this river and all the fish in it are mine. And I know I'm important to God. This is what makes me feel big.....and small. Definately loved and perhaps at the end of the day more loving.