David and Stephen were two very excited little boys. Craig their father was taking them on an early morning fishing trip on the Nahoon River.
“Dad do you think we will catch a lot of fish?” David asked.
“I certainly hope so.” Craig replied as they set off in the boat.
“What time is mummy bringing breakfast?” Stephen asked.
“I’m hungry.”
Craig pulled out a bag, which had some sandwiches in. He silently prayed for patience. Several other boats were on the water and nobody seemed to be catching any fish.
Soon the boys began to argue among themselves as the fun had gone out of the trip.
“I am bored and want to go home,” whined Stephen.
“Stop being a baby, we’re not going until we catch some fish,” David said.
Craig decided to tell them a story to pass the time.
“How about a true fishing story?” he asked.
“Yes, please daddy tell us,” they said.
“A long time ago there were some fishermen. They were friends of Jesus. Until they met him, they made a living by catching fish and mending broken nets. They gave up their fishing when they met Jesus and followed Him as went about teaching.”
“Didn’t they miss fishing?” David asked.
“No, they were too busy helping Jesus and were traveling around the country.”
After Jesus was put to death on the cross, the fishermen were very sad. He had told them this would happen but they had secretly hoped he was wrong. On the third day, He arose again and appeared to his friends at different times.
One night they went fishing. Unfortunately, they did not catch any fish. By the next morning, they were feeling very grumpy.
“I bet they were also cold and hungry,” Stephen added.
Smiling at him Craig continued the story.
They were about to go ashore, when they noticed a man standing alongside a fire.
“It’s Jesus,” Peter shouted.
“How are doing?” Jesus asked.
“Nothing at all and we have been here all night.” Peter replied.
“Pull your net up and put it down the other side.” Jesus told them.
They did as they were told and before they knew it, the net was so heavy they could barely lift it up. Quickly they took it ashore and had a lovely breakfast with Jesus on the beach.
“Wow” the boys said. “Perhaps we should change our spot. We might even get lucky.”
“Good idea” Craig said pulling up the anchor. They moved further along towards the bridge. Guess what happened then? They all caught some fish.
“Boys, I see your mother and sisters at the picnic spot: Craig called. ‘Let’s go and show them our catch.”
“They will be so proud of us,” they both shouted.
When they got back to the riverbank, Kate and the two girls ran to help them. Once the boat was safely anchored, they all sat down together and had a lovely picnic.
“See, daddy, we are doing what Jesus and his friends did.” David said.
“Yes, we are at that, and not only today but everyday we should try to do the things that Jesus taught his friends and us to do.”
The boys then related to Kate and the girls the story Craig had told them, and they all agreed to try to be a bit more like Jesus and His friends each day.
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