Traveling the Rock Road

Back around 1983, I had returned to my adopted hometown of Fremont, Ohio for the annual white bass run. This occurs generally in May when white bass will leave Lake Erie and travel up the Sandusky River to spawn. The fish are so plentiful during the run, anglers from all over converge on Fremont to fill their buckets and stringers with these feisty but tasty bass. Since money was tight for me and Cathy, my purpose was to catch enough that we’d fill the freezer with enough filets to have fish once or twice a week until the next season.

On this occasion I was fishing with my lifelong buddy Lynn and he and brought his youngest son, at that time, Chad who was about 8 and I had my son Jeremy, age 2 with me.

The fishing was slow that day and I was allowing Jeremy to play on the rocks nearby, that is until I caught sight of his new “friend.” Hearing some noise I turned to watch Jer as he was trying to pick something up, but then at the last second would quickly pull his hand away, then try again. Walking over to investigate, my heart nearly stopped when I saw what he was trying to grab. Now most folks from that area will tell you black snakes are harmless; but when you see one some 4 feet long that your child thinks is a plaything, it’ll send you into a panic right quick. Snatching my son up in one arm I moved him back and the snake made a quick retreat across the rocks.

A while later we gave up on fishing for the day so grabbing up our gear we headed up from the river. The only problem was we were in a primitive area that meant we had a good walk over rocks and around trees as we headed back to the car. Several places the rocks were separated enough that we had to stretch across to get from one stone to the next. We came to one point where it was easily a 3 foot span across and the river was 4 feet below. Lynn crossed first and then I handed Jeremy to him before I stepped over with pole in hand. Turning back to Chad who was waiting I reached out my free hand and was about to say “Take hold and step over.” Only Chad had his own ideas before I could speak and with a mighty leap he lunged toward me. There wasn’t even a split second to think, dropping my pole I was able to catch him barely keeping both of us landing in the river or falling on the rocks. Kids! Sheesh!!!

Over the years I’ve occasionally thought about that day and how neither boy showed fear or thought about the possible danger they might have been in. Then one day I realized, that’s the way God wants us to be in trusting Him.

“Let you faith be bigger than your fears.” I don’t know who said this quote but I have to wonder if it came to them while watching a child’s approach to some kind of difficulty without fear or hesitation.

God’s way of saying the same thing is like this, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you–yes, I help you–yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!”

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Psalm 23:3-4 “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

Guess this is why Jesus said we need to be like little children, totally trusting in Him.

I won’t lie to you and say it’s been easy to put all my trust in my Lord. Even when I place all my trust in Him and see amazing results I still return to fear and doubts more times than I care to count. The good thing is even when I fall short I know the love of my God doesn’t.

To quote another passage but using Miller’s Free Translation God says, “I made all that you see out of nothing. Trust me I can take care of you.”

For this “Traveler of the Rock Road” I will continue to move forward, and periodically step back. It’s a part of who we are. But God loving us and waiting patiently for us to trust the way a child does; well, it’s the whole of who He is. Awesome!
See ya next time.