Once, there was a little boy named Tim who loved to fish. At a favorite campground, Tim had plenty of opportunity in a small lake that yielded lots of action. What the water lacked in trophy-sized fish, it made up for in volume. A worm on a hook meant a fish on the line. Yet often, Tim's dad forgot bait. Or hooks. Or bobbers.
Enter a quiet couple in the trailer next door—George and Julie. It was uncanny the way George always seemed to be ready with an extra hook or bobber. And well stocked with bait—night crawlers he shared generously with Tim, weekend after weekend.
Neither Tim, his mom, or his dad had any idea how all these mysterious “coincidences” occurred until many years later. That's when George's wife let it out that there was no mystery at all. George and Julie actually planned for our camping weekends. They stocked up just for us—for Tim. They looked out their window to be sure he had everything needed. And when he didn't, their door—and their hearts–swung wide open.
That little boy, Tim, is now grown up and married. He still goes fishing in that same lake, armed with considerable experience and a fisherman’s resolve to go for the bigger catch. His dad still goes with him sometimes, but usually it's his beautiful wife, Beth, at his side.
Recently, I watched as he hauled in a 23 inch catfish. Beth was right there with a net to scoop the thing up. Me? I snapped pictures.
Now, the story of a fish that large made its way quickly around a campground accustomed to sunfish and small bass. Tim was promptly urged to share his fish photo with our old friend, George, which he did, via a cell phone. George's text reply: “Beautiful fish. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.”
All these years later, George is still looking out for Tim.
They say life's most valuable lessons are caught, not taught—kinda like a fish. That said, who are you watching out for?
For Moody Radio, I'm Tim's dad…and those are my thoughts.