The Hand On My Shoulder

The fishing pole bent double as Jaybird struggled to hold it. Then, a monster crappie fighting fiercely broke the surface in a watery explosion. When he reached out to grab his catch, the hook dislodged and flew straight into his hand. Terrified, I shrieked, “Jaybird — we’ve got to get to the hospital right away!” As calmly as if he had merely nicked a finger, he replied, “No, the fish are biting. We’ll catch the limit before leaving this lake. You’ll remove the hook from my hand.” Trembling with fear, I tried pushing the hook back through the web of flesh between his thumb and forefinger, but he stopped me, warning that the barb would make the wound worse. Next, I grabbed the monofilament line, intending to bite it into, only to hear the calm voice again: “No, if you do that, the hook’s eye will have to go through the wound and do more damage.”

Though Jaybird left this earth years ago, he lives on in my heart and never fails to provide what is needed most: the hand on my shoulder

Intentionally, the old black man was leading me through an agonizing trial and error process to teach me yet another life lesson: When faced with difficult choices requiring immediate action, remaining calm and analyzing alternatives is the best course. Reacting in panic only makes bad situations worse. “Use those wire cutters in the tackle box to remove the barb after pushing it out of the flesh,” he said. “I can’t do that — it will hurt you, Jaybird,” I cried. Calmly, he continued gazing at me with those intelligent, penetrating brown eyes, as I watched blood dripping into the boat’s bottom. My hands shook so badly that I could barely hold the wire cutters, much less use them. Minutes ticked by as I prayed that Jaybird would take the tool from me, push the hook through until the barb came out, and remove it. Still, my boyhood best friend and mentor waited, as tears streamed down my cheeks. Again, the calm voice: “Come on, boy — big fish are just waiting to be caught.” Still, I couldn’t move. Then he did what he had so often done in my young life — reassured me by placing a big strong hand on my shoulder and saying, “Boy, you can do whatever you set your mind to.” As always, his strength encouraged me. Gently, I pushed the hook until the barb emerged, snipped it off, and removed the hook without worsening the wound. Jaybird wrapped his hand in a bandana, baited the new hook, and began fishing, as if nothing had happened. The lesson he taught me that day wasn’t clear until years later. When snared by the hooks of life, we human beings often lack the will power to remove the barb. It is then that we must ask for the Lord’s reassurance. God’s loving hand on His children’s shoulders always provides courage, strength, and determination to do whatever must be done. Though Jaybird left this earth years ago, he lives on in my heart and never fails to provide what is needed most: the hand on my shoulder.