Wrestling an Octopus

Ever try to wrestle an octopus?

Choppy waves rocked our small boat off the coast of Alaska as we pulled up the last shrimp pot. So far the traps had been empty, but this one was heavy. We hauled it out of the ocean and into the boat. Inside was an octopus.

The creature had squeezed into the trap and feasted on all the shrimp. We opened the cage to release the octopus, but its long eighteen-inch tentacles clamped onto the metal bars. It refused to budge.

As we carefully tried to pry the ten-pound blob loose, it slithered and changed shapes to reattach itself to the trap. Along the underside of each of its eight tentacles, small cups suctioned the octopus to the shrimp pot.

Have you ever been stuck or felt trapped?

The octopus didn’t know we wanted to free it, so as we loosened some tentacles, it fastened others and held on tight. If we ignored it and left it alone, it would die.

Sometimes we need to let go and allow others to help us deal with–or get out of–tough situations.

It took three men to pull the octopus out of the shrimp pot, and then it suctioned itself to the deck of the boat. Once again, it was sticky business to free the creature.

Are you struggling? Trapped? Don’t stay in the cage like the octopus. Let go. Help is available. Parents, counselors, pastors, teachers, coaches, librarians, neighbors… Ask for help.

Only when the octopus loosened its grip, could we do what it wanted and needed. The last tentacle let go, and we placed the octopus in the ocean and it swam away–free.

**If you are hurting, please reach out. Focus on the family offers a free consultation with a Christian counselor.  https://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/promos/counseling-services-and-referrals

** Read Julane Fisher’s post, Wonderful Life, Jan. 7. The Storyteller Squad not only offers stories, but we want to hear your heart. Contact me at: gretchencarlsonwriter@gmail.com