The Deadliest Catch
I grew up in a full-blooded Italian family and for us fishing was life and life was fishing. I really started getting into it with my dad and uncle at about age 14. I used to love fishing with them. Then at 17 my dream came true, I finally got to go to Alaska and fish with the tough guys.
Even though it was something I always dreamed of, it was extremely difficult. The weather conditions were brutal and the long hours were hard to bear. I started abusing prescription drugs just to ease the pain and get me through it. Not long after that, the only thing I caught was an addiction. Soon things went from bad to worse.
About ten years ago my dad died in a cement truck accident and my life rapidly crumbled. The pain and sadness were overwhelming so I stuck to the two things I knew best, fishing and medicating. Not only did I fish in Alaska but, just a few years ago, I traveled to Gloucester, MA on the east coast to do some sword fishing – on the same grounds where they filmed the movie “The Perfect Storm”, which was fitting since that was exactly what my life had become.
While fishing in the Atlantic my addiction was getting out of control and I knew I had to do something about it. I just didn’t know what. When I arrived back in California a dear friend of mine was talking to a guy named Mike Daugherty who had recommended “The Bridge”. After hearing about it I enrolled.
After about five months in the program my yearly Alaska trip came about and I was determined to go. Even though I managed to stay sober while fishing, once I received my paycheck the temptation took over and my flesh got the best of me. But thanks to Christ and what I had learned during those first five months, my heart just wouldn’t let me enjoy it.
I’m truly thankful that Mike and Michele allowed me to re-enroll into “The Bridge”. I look forward to growing in Christ and continuing to serve others. And I know that if Jesus can make a disciple out of a fisherman two thousand years ago…… He can still do it today!!!!
By Jerry Napoli