Leaving nets

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. Mark 1: 16-20

This has been a February to remember. The snow piled high in some places a week or so back. We have had a record number of storms which hit towns unprepared for the snow. Today we awoke to a rain and sleet mix, coating the steps and walkways with a treacherous sheen. A day when you dream about living in another climate, doing something more than being stuck indoors. Many people in the northeast go away to brighter warmer places this time of year. They change their lives for a small measure of time. Others sit at home and dream of a new life with warmth and sunshine all year round. Most of us are good with where we are and what we do, but on this kind of winter day, it is easy to be swept away by dreaming.

I imagine that the first disciples like what they did and where they were. It was all in the family, familiar and supportive. On rough days, when the seas and the winds refused to cooperate, they may have dreamed of another life. We can't know. We do know that when the opportunity for a new life came around, the left their nets and their families and followed Jesus. It was exciting and challenging all at once. It was what they had dream of. And it was what they had feared. There were days when they wondered why God had chosen them for this thing. And there were other days when they understood completely. But either way, when they followed Jesus is was more wonderful and complicated than they could ever have imagined.

Today, I want to remember, in the midst of this grueling February weather, that where ever we find ourselves, God is there. God is there in the midst of us, whether we are in a safe secure place, or whether we have dropped our nets and left security for adventure. While we are becoming something new, or stating right where we are, God is in the midst of us, transforming our dark days into moments of grace. May we all give thanks for the moments of grace we have today, no matter hoe weary we are from the weather and life's challenges. For God is with us.