It's time to fish! The 11th Annual Gary Lindsey Memorial Benefit Firecracker Fishing Tournament is upon us. For Ed and I, it's a time to reflect on the past ten years of our life and the tournaments. Our grief hasn't gone away. It's changed. We will never be "over" it. Our loss is a life-long loss that has changed our lives, our plans, our hopes and our dreams. We've had to re-define all that.....find new plans, new dreams, and a different way of life. It's not what we would have chosen, but what has been given for purposes beyond our comprehension. Beyond what we can see.
We talk about this often, and how even though our hearts still hurt, we have been blessed in many ways. God is a good, good Father. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we would have trouble in this world. We were never promised an easy life, an easy path. But Jesus also said He had overcome the world. He is our hope. He is our strength and our comfort. Life can be very hard, but Jesus is the Anchor.
The fishing tournament is one of the ways we have been immeasurably blest. I thank God every day for my son's life. I'm thankful for the twenty-two years and all the good memories. When we witness the fishermen and women who come and support this tournament, our hearts are warmed in ways we cannot explain. Fishing all night is not easy and yet, they come. They will never know how much they are appreciated.
The volunteers have been a topic of conversation between us also. They show up every year and know what to do, taking care of their area and we do not have to be concerned about how it's going to get done. They do it. They march in like reinforcements. What an awesome group of volunteers! We cannot begin to thank them enough or repay for all their hard work.
We understand the importance of those who sponsor and contribute by food, supplies or monetary gifts. They're the ones who make it possible to give back to our community so that helping others becomes a reality.
We can't say enough about our church family. After ten years they still support us in so many ways. They are like the believers in the book of Acts who encourage and uplift. In our eyes, they are champions. What and how do others make it without the support of a local family of believers? We wouldn't know. What a blessing we have been given by their acts of kindness, prayers and care. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy." Philippians 1:3-4
Our own family's love, prayers and constant support has helped sustain us and the closeness we have is a bond that cannot be broken.
We still shed tears from our loss but also because our hearts are very grateful from the outpouring in all these many ways. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough, but we are thankful beyond measure.
Happy Fishing!
