Together

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor and can help each other succeed.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 KJV and NLT

The weather was perfect!  The sun was shining, the winds were low, and the seas were calm.  We had planned this trip for weeks and were excited the day had arrived. 

We ate a light breakfast and headed to the boat.  The guide provided some instructions, gave us a tour of the boat, and we set off for deep water.

There were four of us in addition to the captain, the guide, and the deck hand.  The captain piloted us to an area he was certain we would find fish.  The guide and the deck hand baited the hooks and we took turns two at a time in the “hot seats”-chairs located in the rear of the boat designed with a harness and rod holder to assist one in pulling in “the big one”.

When my turn came, they belted me into the chair and I grabbed hold of the rod.  Then it happened!  Zzzzip!!  The line took off!  The rod buckled, the battle was on.  I was bent over at the waist, as buckled as the rod.  The guide stepped into help, “Reel in, pull up, now release. Just go down with the rod, now up again.”

It took all strength I had.  The guide continued to encourage me.  “Reel in, pull up, release, ease the rod down.  Not too quick.  You could lose him.  The trick is to fight gently.  Let him wear himself out.”  But I was the one who was tired!  How long had I been doing this?

My husband stepped in behind me, wrapped his arms around me and lay his hands over mind, lending his strength to the battle.  We fell into a rhythm: reel in while rising, release and gently fall…again and again and again.

“Let go!” I said.  “I want to do this by myself!”

“You might lose him.  You’re tired.”

“I said ‘let go’.  I want to do this by myself!”

Translation: I want all the credit for reeling in this bad boy.

He let go.

My body dropped.  I couldn’t pull myself upright as the fish was pulling on me.  The water exploded as the bull Mahi jumped into the air, shaking his head violently.  I could do nothing.  In mere seconds he was free.  The battle belonged to the Mahi that day. 

I had forgotten an important principle-it is okay to accept help.  We need one another.  No wise man goes into battle alone.

  Often, we do not ask for help or refuse it outright because of pride.

When my turn came again I accepted the help and together we reeled in a Mahi so long I had to balance it on its nose to get a picture.  My husband had helped me to succeed!  That evening, at the guide’s arrangements, one of the local restaurants prepared our fish for us as we showered and changed.  We sat down to the fabulous dinner of blackened Mahi, garlic butter Mahi, and Mahi steamed in banana leaves. 

We did indeed have a good reward for our labor.