A recurrent message in "Stories for Samuel" begins with the story from the Bible of Jesus instructing his friend Peter to cast a line and expect to catch a fish with a gold coin in it's mouth. I continue on in my stories for my grandson and others by predicting they too will be rewarded for their efforts, when God is a part of service for others. Just last week while visiting a friend, who has suffered more than I can imagine with a debilitating physical condition, I prayed at his table before we ate a plate of fish I caught and cooked. After the prayer and during the meal we remembered the times when he could fish and cook provisions from nature. Days later, while fishing, I reflected on these things and was grateful for my time as a fisherman. A most a most improbable catch occurred! After I caught one of the biggest catfish I had ever caught in a place I did not expect such fish existed and with tackle better suited for bluegill, I was sure of many things like wanting to share my faith and offering more to those who can not experience nature like I do in my life!
Then I thought about two of my friends who have demonstrated by example the positive life God provides and even miracles that still happen. First I thought of a lifelong friend who had alias been a champion of underdogs and has been a role model of positive thinking. He even beat cancer and never gives up! Another friend came to mind and always reminds me to have a "marvelous day"!
I considered how this optimistic person sometimes fishes in the morning before work to relax! Again I was conscious of rewards we seem to receive when little things like fishing,or helping some one with a technology problem, is a part of daily life. It is true that by helping others, little things become big things when God is in it. Believing we will experience success and the confidence to succeed, is provision enough to expect a marvelous day
Then I thought about two of my friends who have demonstrated by example the positive life God provides and even miracles that still happen. First I thought of a lifelong friend who had alias been a champion of underdogs and has been a role model of positive thinking. He even beat cancer and never gives up! Another friend came to mind and always reminds me to have a "marvelous day"!
I considered how this optimistic person sometimes fishes in the morning before work to relax! Again I was conscious of rewards we seem to receive when little things like fishing,or helping some one with a technology problem, is a part of daily life. It is true that by helping others, little things become big things when God is in it. Believing we will experience success and the confidence to succeed, is provision enough to expect a marvelous day