From Empty Nets to Holy Hauls
Well now, Buttercup, you git yourself right on up here on this here front porch and be sure you’re ‘a-watchin’ your step ‘cause the squirrels have been ‘a-usin’ it like their personal interstate. I just shooed off one that was ‘a-haulin’ a corncob bigger than his whole behind. That little fella was a-huffin’ and a-puffin’ like a chubby beaver a-runnin’ late for Sunday service.
Sit yourself down for a spell ‘cause I have been a-thinkin’ on somethin’ that hits harder than a goose a-chargin’ a mailman. It’s that ol’ nasty seven-letter word called failure. And truth be told, we are just like that lil’ squirrel. That pesky rascal shows up more often than a nosy goat ‘a-peekin’ through the barn door at feedin’ time.
We’re always ‘a-goin’ ‘round ‘a-sayin’ we’re trustin’ God, but half the time we’re a-haulin’ our worries like we’re auditionin’ for the World Weightliftin’ Championships. We talk about God’s love, but deep down we’re ‘a-wonderin’ if He’s really gonna show up or if we’re about to be ‘a-floppin’ harder than a turkey ‘a-tryin’ to tap dance.
John 21:1–6 tells us the disciples had been ‘a-fishin’ all night and hadn’t caught so much as a confused tadpole. They was ‘a-workin’ harder than a one-legged rooster ‘a-tryin’ to chase a fox. Then, Jesus hollered from the shore, “Y’all catch anything?” He knew they hadn’t. The Lord never asks because He’s stumped. He asks because He’s ‘a-wantin’ us to admit what we’d rather be ‘a-hidin’.
They had to say it. “No.” No fish. No success. Just ol’ empty nets. And that is exactly where Jesus wanted ‘em. Empty nets make more room for miracles. When they tossed that net on the right side like Jesus told ‘em, it filled up faster than a goat ‘a-tryin’ to squeeze through a fence hole.
Failure just ain’t the end. It’s the doorway to somethin’ real good!
Sometimes the Lord lets us flop like an ol’ catfish on a riverbank, so we’ll quit ‘a-doin’ things our own way. When we say, “Lord, I’m real tired o’ runnin’ this rodeo. I’m ‘a-wantin’ to do it Your way now,” He steps in with forgiveness, direction, and more grace than a fluffy biscuit can sop up.
And hear me, Junebug. Folks who fail the most are often the ones God is ‘a-usin’ the most. They’re ‘a-tryin’, ‘a-steppin’ out, ‘a-learnin’, ‘a-growin’. Every time they git up, they come back tougher than a mule ‘a-eatin’ briars.
And that is exactly why 2 Corinthians 12:9 hits home. The Lord says “His grace is enough and His power shows up mighty strong right where we feel the weakest.”
Father, I be ‘a-comin’ to You with my empty nets. Help me stop ‘a-fishin’ in my own strength. Be ‘a-teachin’ me to trust Your voice, follow Your lead, and see failure the way You see it. Thank You for ‘a-turnin’ my flops into fresh starts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, mercy me, Butterbean, that there pot o’ gold from the Good Word ought to stick to your ribs like warm, buttered cornbread. Now go on out there and live like somebody who’s ‘a-knowin’ that even your biggest belly flop can become a holy cannonball o’ grace an’ mercy when Jesus comes ‘a-steppin’ in.
With joy,
Gwen
