“Learn to read The Water!”

 

Growing up in the mountains of East Tennessee and North Georgia offered an endless variety of outdoor activities.  To an outdoorsman, it was paradise.

There was bass fishing in the Tennessee River corridor.

There was literally game in-season year around.

The only thing that kept us off the water and out of the woods was something called football and baseball season….and church!

As I aged, I’m come to realize that everything I learned in those mountains has been instrumental throughout my life.  It’s probably the same with you!  You have memories and moments that have helped you as you made your unique journey.  And when a moment or situation that requires some thought and discernment, you seek your “place” to meditate and pray.

Maybe it was a family issue, a significant other,  or maybe it was a major development with your academics or profession.  Regardless of the specifics, we find ourselves in a moment where we are unsure of what we “should” do and have to juggle our responsibilities.

I have had several trials that brought me back to those mountains.  Several times in my life that, while no one else understood, I just wanted to sit by the Hiwassee River below Big Bend and work the water.  (that’s some fly-fishing talk for you). Moments as an undergrad where I packed up in the middle of the night and as John Muir would say,

 “The Mountains Are Calling….And I Must Go!”

Point is….we all have that place…maybe places!  This week, I want to tell you about what I have learned in MY “place”!  To be honest, it’s the only time in my life where I have felt totally stress free and at peace.  Let me take you on a little journey….

I leave Chattanooga headed east, passing cities named Cleveland and Benton.  The night air is cool and I have the windows down.  The tops of the mountains are visible against the night sky and small pairs of unknown eyes periodically appear as the roads begin to wind.  As I continue up Hwy 411, I take a right onto County Road ??? (come on now!  im not giving you my fishing spots!).  The air temp quickly drops 15 degrees as I past into the National Forest.  On the left and right, antique campers house adventurers seeking their own place in the mountains.  Cars with stickers with UTC, Rock Creek Outfitters, and “I voted for Reagan” lined the camping areas and pull offs.

After a few turns, I open the door of my truck and the only sound I hear is water dripping off the trees.  Slowly, the woods accept my presence and the crickets begin to sing again.  Then, unknown creatures begin to stir around me.  I am home!  I put on my camo, my waders, and my vest…grab my #4 weight rod and ease off toward the sound of rushing water.

After a few awkward steps, ducking under a log or two, and strategically avoiding several briars……I see the opening to the river.  As I approach the water, the smell of the mountains fills my senses in rush.  The smells of mountain water, pine, lavender, and a hint of something….something wild….possibly the passing of a buck or bear earlier in the night……I am alone….and for the first time in ages….I feel free!

I stand there and wait for first light.  I try to blend into the surroundings and wait for the mountains wake up!  It’s at this moment that I see how BIG and REAL GOD IS!!!  I think about my grandparents!  I see my uncles standing on these rocks, holding fly rod, smoking a cigarette.  Memories start or flood into my mind.  The monster brown trout I caught less than 100 feet from where I am standing….and how I almost lost my felt hat over  it.  I think about the girls in high school and college that I brought to this spot to see if they saw the beauty in this place.

As first light appears, the fog is so thick that I am only able to see 15 feet out into the ankle and knee-deep water.  With the taste of morning coffee still on my breath I ease off onto the mountain stone. The icy water, even with the barrier of my waders, immediately conforms to my legs.  It is COLD…no…you don’t understand…COLD doesn’t quite describe it!

And now for the most important part of the message.  It is in this moment that I have carried with me over my life.

Whenever a big decision comes. Whenever the stress gets a little too much.  Whenever I just need a moment to absorb life.  I withdraw to my place and I allow my mind to take the following routine. Sometimes it happens quickly…..while other times it takes a day or two.  The following is a plan of action for your next retreat to the river….

How to Read the water:

Stop:  Just like in life, the water looks “busy”.  The water is flowing in a million different directions and its easy to focus on everything….in turn focusing on nothing.  So I STOP…and just breathe!  I look at the water a little at a time and start seeing the flow, current, ebbs & flows.  I lose myself in it.  Just like in a game situation!  STOP!  Breathe and take it all in!  Let your mind slow down! Just like a game situation….you concentrate on your role and position….your assignment….that’s all.

Be Silent: It takes few minutes, but eventually your mind will slow down.   A calmness with come over you and your breathing with become rhythmic.   This is when you know you are able to relax mentally and spiritually.  In football, after kickoff and the first few plays the game “settles down”!  Players, coaches, and even fans notice their emotions calm down and you settle into your training……time to …

Study the Water….Focus:  As with any situation…spend some time just studying whats going on around you.  Look at the water….really…read the water.  See the path you want to take to get to the main spots…..   While it is almost overwhelming looking at the entire scene, simply slow down and look for OPPORTUNITY!  Look at the spots in the current and rocks you know a trout will lay…   You’ve watched film! You’ve studied for the exam! Now you are going to pick your spots…and ……

Strategize:  Even though you have a path picked….let the river guide your steps.  You may be planning an approach to drop your fly into the front of a long run…but you catch two brookies and in the process see the run isn’t as deep as you thought.  Plus, you see a 15 inch rainbow just above the run.  As the river changes…just like if your opponent changes…you plan your strategy and the goal is to get…..

Synchronized:  Without realizing it, you are becoming synchronized to the river and the world around you.  Your body is leaning into the current and your mind/body is working your fly into position with that same current.   The game, just like the river, has a rhythm.  A natural rhythm that you must understand to be victorious and to be relaxed.  Everything in this world is about rhythm.

…SUBMIT:  Give your worries and stressors up for the duration.  This may seem difficult…but once you are in your “place” it becomes easy.  Nature has a way of filtering out what isn’t mandatory for basic survival and helping you see things differently.  In athletics, you can play an entire game not thinking your upcoming mid-term, your relationship problems, or your mortgage payment being due…..  Then, after the game is over and your mind has assimilated, your perspective on stressors may have changed.  Literally, submit your stressors to the Man Upstairs and just BE!!!

Surrender:  This is where the exercise gets tough.  Surrender…in your mind….that you are NOT in control  (whatever that is).  Surrender your worries, fears, stressors, and responsibilities to God and His River.  Let them go!  If you really want to know how powerful the Creator is….imagine one of those tears that you have shed falling into that river flowing around you! That tear, and that water is all headed to the same place….

Summarize:  When you have closed the day out (and regardless of how many fish are on the stringer) summarize how much fun you had and how good you feel.  Breathe in deeply and put your hand in the ice-cold mountain water.  Splash your face!  Remind yourself that simply “Living” is still your main job!!!!   Your responsibilities are still out there…but life has to be lived!  So, “Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing”

Remember those stressors and worries?!  Me neither!

One thing that always reminds me of the important of getting away is how Jesus went off to a “designated place to pray”!  He made it a priority to have some “quiet time”!  If the great I AM needs a minute to focus on His mission in this world….

I KNOW I NEED IT…..  

Check this out:

The following are different translations of Luke 5:16….

English Standard Version
But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

New International Version
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

New Living Translation
But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

New American Standard Bible
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

King James Bible
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

International Standard Version
However, he continued his habit of retiring to deserted places and praying.

 

The common terminologies here are obvious….

Withdrawing to the wilderness and praying….

Regardless of what your current situation is presenting.  

Regardless of where your feet currently rest.  

Regardless of your financial situation.  

Regardless of your church membership.  

Regardless of what the sweater vests say.   

Get away from it all and get alone with the Creator!  

You may just find the world again!

This week, find your place and spend a few minutes with God. 

I hope you remember how to “Read Your Water” this week!

#CoachKD