A Father’s Love

By: Brian Murray LMHC

Jacob was 8 years old when he was awakened at 4:30AM by his grandfather. He was gently shaken by his grandfather announcing it was time to get up to go fishing. Jacob had never woken up so early in his life and struggled to clear his eyes and get oriented. He made his way into the kitchen where there was a hum of activity going on. A single light bulb turned on, hung from the ceiling. He could see his father standing there making sandwiches and getting a cooler of drinks together.

Jacob’s father turned and said, “go get dressed so we can meet grandpa outside and help him with the boat.” The place was nothing fancy. The living conditions were about functionality, not fashion. They were at their uncle’s farmhouse out in the Georgia countryside. Grandpa had an old wooden V-hull boat that leaked until the water made the wood swell up and seal the leaks. An old coffee can rolling around in the bottom of the boat served as a bail until the leaking stopped. Grandpa backed up his pickup truck to load up the boat as there was no trailer. On a count of three they all hoisted the boat into the back of the truck. Rods and reels were put in the boat along with the cooler and a mysterious-looking old military canvas bag Grandpa had brought along.

The three of them jumped in the single cab truck and drove off down a dirt road toward the farm pond. Once they unloaded and got the boat in the water, they paddled out to the middle of the pond. The sun was coming out, barely breaking the horizon. There was no wind and a light mist covered the water. It was perfect timing. Jacob wasn’t surprised, Grandpa had been doing this all of his life. Jacob’s father broke out a tub of worms, baited a hook and handed Jacob the pole. Jacob was no stranger to a fishing pole and tossed the bait into the water. A few minutes later he had a bite and tossed one into the boat. Soon all three were having success and caught many fish that day.

What transpired through this story? What is it about a father taking his son fishing that is so alluring to the soul? In that boat that day were three people and six souls: the grandfather was a son, father and grandfather; Jacob’s father was a son and father; and Jacob was a son. These souls are experiencing a transferring from one generation to another through this experience, both in giving and receiving. This is being done through what a father can give, and what a son can receive.

This type of bonding is imperative to the soul of a young man as its implications will last a lifetime. In this story we see the wise sage passing his gift down through the generations to the boy. The gift is the impact this adventure has on the needs of a masculine heart which is for something adventurous. Without this healthy influence and guidance, the adventurous heart will find something else to get into which, unfortunately, could be destructive, such as addiction and pornography. Proverbs 22:6 (MSG) confirms this by saying, “Point your kids in the right direction-when they’re old they won’t be lost.”

This bonding is part of who fathers and sons are created to be. It’s not ironic or just a good story that Jesus hung out with fishermen and spent time on a boat with them. There is more to the story than calming a stormy sea. Part of the intrigue is that the masculine heart can identify with being on that boat and going through such an adventure. The stories in the Bible remind us of how our Heavenly Father came down to spend time with us. He shared His adventurous heart and created a memory that will endure forever.

It is through these experiences that we receive love from our both our earthly father and our heavenly Father. Healthy relationships with our fathers build character and are a fundamental part of our wellbeing. Our time spent together with them fall into our own story and how we live out our lives. Grandpa taking his sons fishing was an act of love, not an obligation. He led his sons out onto that pond and gave them a memory and an adventure they can pass on to their sons. Jesus did the same with His disciples that we continue to read about and experience those adventures today.

Father’s Day is a time of sharing, creating a memory and an expression of love and thanks. There are many ways that we can do this as each of us has our own way of spending time together. We honor all our fathers on this special day, and may your experiences build memories through time spent with each other.

Happy Father’s Day!

Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

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