Baitfish
One of the attorney’s I work for is a diver. Nothing thrills him more than a clear day and some deep water. Well, I take that back…one of Jeff’s cakes does cause him to stumble a bit…but I am talking about a really good day. The kind of day you anticipate the night before.
I remember when Aimee and I went to North Carolina for the She Speaks Conference. We both had trouble sleeping the night before. Mine was due to the fact I was busy crossing the “t’s” and dotting the “i’s” on the material we were to have ready….Aimee was busy “thinking”…packing, and most likely cooking for the family she was leaving at home. She left them with “reheating” instructions and a solemn promise of her soon return.
The trip was filled with excitement and incredulity. We were first AMAZED that we made it through Atlanta unscathed. Or, to be more specific…that we didn’t scathe anyone else. Secondly, it was incredible to find ourselves in the same room with the “best” Writers, Speakers and Women’s Leaders in the world! Well, maybe not the world—but at least in the Southeastern United States. How’s that?
However, upon coming back home, life invaded our dream world. Our world of where we could buy that little bookstore and turn it into an inviting Tea Room, filled with books, soft music, Jeff’s cakes, cookies and the best hot coffee or cup of tea, and always a friend or a soon to be friend browsing the shelves in search of the next best read. Yes, life resumed. Actually, I think it picked up pace. As in every one’s life…there are days when we feel surrounded.
Just when you think you are swimming serenely alone, you find yourself suddenly surrounded by a cloud of Baitfish. Just as this picture of the Sea Turtle, he was minding his own business and became enveloped by the Baitfish. The Baitfish are EXACTLY what the name implies. Bait. For bigger fish.
Finding himself encompassed by Baitfish will cause the heart to quicken it’s beating, the diver explained. The “cloud of Baitfish” is so thick, you lose your vision. You lose sight of where you are. It becomes a vertiginous dive. Dizziness overtakes you and you don’t know which end is up. You know that you must get out of the overwhelming cloud—somehow—because you know what could be coming. A hungry fish. Very hungry. Hungry enough to possibly chomp on a hand—arm—foot—even part of your face. Isn’t that what sometimes happens in our lives? We are surrounded with feelings of doubt, insecurity, and many times the overwhelming desire to “give-up”—a feeling of hopelessness.
In talking with a young mother recently, the feeling of a life filled with emotional vertigo was overtaking her. I could clearly see what she needed to do. I could give her immediate instructions which way to paddle her swiftly sinking boat. But she was so surrounded by the Baitfish in her life she couldn’t see or hear me. It wasn’t until the predator fish was about to overtake her did she comprehend the whereabouts of her help.
I lift my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip–he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4
Father, I am so thankful that when I feel the cloud of Baitfish surrounding and overtaking my life–I have YOU, the Almighty God as my protector—I know that my help lies within Your everlasting arms—You never cease Your protective watch over each one of our lives! Your power, love and mercy overwhelmes this child. Thank You LORD for all that You are in my life. Direct our paths daily, help us to apply the Word into our hearts and lives. In the name of Jesus I pray, believe and fully trust~Amen.
And in my finite mind that needs closure, I need to know how the diver found his way out!
As scary as that scenerio is, that feeling of emotional vertigo is definitely as debilitating and frightening. Praise God we have a Redeemer!
Thanks, Angie for this wonderful post.
I really needed this, bless you my friend.
Oh, Angie… this post was so timely for me! I’m feeling a bit surrounded by baitfish today. I’m sick, the kids have started school, soccer has started, and my husband just found out this morning that he will be leaving at 5:00am tomorrow to head to San Antonio and prepare to provide assistance should Hurrican Gustav hit the coast next week. I know it will all work out, but being sick is leaving me a bit on the negative side of things at the moment. I’ve been praying this morning and your post has encouraged me to keep that up…. the Lord WILL take care of us while Jeff is gone and we will find a way to work with the crazy schedule with just Mommy to do the chauffeuring and I will get well again (hopefully by about 5:00am tomorrow morning 🙂 .
Thanks so much for this post!
Hi Angie,
You know I think Melanie has this spot on. All of us are struggling with the business of life. When school starts every year I feel overwhelmed. This post is perfect timing and I LOVE the baitfish analogy. Brilliant. As always, wonderful words of wisdom. Hugs!!
Angie:
Just seeing that picture paints a visual for me. I have been that turtle so many times, out for a swim to suddenly find myself surrounded by a haze that cannot be missed and that poses a logistical nightmare for my faith. I won’t lie. I haven’t always surfaced well, but I have always surfaced. God is the faithful anchor for all my seasons and by his grace, I find my home everytime.
Thanks for your thoughts. You are precious beyond words!
peace~elaine
Beautiful analogy Angie, enjoyed reading this. The visual jumped out at me.
That was me this past Wednesday . . . “surrounded with feelings of doubt, insecurity, and many times the overwhelming desire to “give-up”—a feeling of hopelessness.” Maybe not to the point of giving up but definately overwhelmed. I lost sight for a day that He knows how this situation of mine will turn out, and as long as I’m with Him I have no need to worry, even if the outcome is uncomfortable. This time I rallied a “prayer-warrior friend” because I was “too in the middle of it” to even think straight. Peace came in the night sometime while I slept. I know this because on Thursday I felt like a new person with a new outlook on things, and it wasn’t any doing of my own. My God heard my friends prayer and answered. Isn’t He awesome to answer her on my behalf? I pray that I can do that same thing for someone when they’ve been blinded by baitfish.
Thanks for this post and for letting me have the opportunity to ponder the greatness of our deliverance.
don’t you just love the way the Lord offers up lessons from the strangest things……… I have been paddling around in that pool of peace and tranquility when suddenly surrounded! Oh how it takes away or joy…… I hate fear and it jumps up all too often in our lives…… Thanks for this wonderful insight to the provisions of the Lord………….
Love you much and I am going after my book tomorrow morning! I am fired up!
“However, upon coming back home, life invaded our dream world…”
Angie, this is such a beautiful post. I so needed this today at the end of a week that really brought home too me (in a not too positive manner) the fact that my summer vacation is over.
You are right, Angie. The baitfish of life really can get you down. I know that from experience. I am glad that I can call upon the Lord to help me out of situations that are suffocating me.
Thank you so much for sharing your up-lighting words with us.
PS: It is just like Him – my spam word is “Savior”….