I was fishing with a friend a few days ago and they asked if I had gotten out on the river much this year to fish. I replied that I hadn’t and started to fumble through some excuses. But as I fumbled through my excuses about why I hadn’t been fishing — not enough time, not sure where to go (we LOVE secret fishing spots here), nervous about my filleting skills — none of it seemed to really make sense.
Later that night, a different friend of mine said, “Hey… you went fishing today, right? Do you want help processing the fish?” It clicked for me that none of my excuses made sense because I don’t enjoy fishing alone.
I’m not married. I don’t have kids. I don’t come from a big family of fishers who own a boat or have a routine of where they process fish. I rely on friends inviting me to come with them, show me the ropes, and do the whole process together.
I don’t like to fish alone; I want to fish together.
While many of us are focused on fishing and filling our freezers this time of year, it can be easy to see us working together to pull nets and to process fish. But doing life together needs to happen year-round, both physically and emotionally. Those of us who don’t have boats or nets may need someone else to give us some room on the river.
As people, we’re designed to be in community together. The earliest images of humanity are of people hunting together or building fires together — of living life together. We are designed to be together. I want your freezer to be as full as mine is!
In several African languages, there is the concept of “Ubuntu,” which is often translated as meaning: “I am because you are.”
I don’t fish alone because I don’t want to be the sole conqueror of the river; I fish together because I want all to be fed. I want to work alongside you, so that you and yours are nourished by the river and the ocean, while also being nourished myself.
We live in a time right now that feels consumed with labels — Democrat or Republican, MAGA or Snowflake, Christian or Atheist, citizen or not, rich or poor, or the worst fight of all — dipnetters versus sport fishermen!
These labels should inform us but not define us. They should not strip us of the ability to see humanity in the other, the one who is next to us on the river, at the grocery store, across the political aisle, or in the comment section of the news article.
I am, because you are.
We, despite our differences, are one human population, attempting to make life each day. Together, we can do more — to love, listen, create, and be. Let’s fish together so that all may be fed, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Pastor Meredith Harber serves Christ Lutheran Church, 128 N. Soldotna Ave., worship is at 10 a.m. on Sundays in person or on Facebook Live.
