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I loved going to the river as a kid. I loved fishing for some reason. Part of it was it gave me something to connect with my grandfather. He was an awesome, big hearted, broken, lost man. He made me laugh and I felt like a real man when I hung out with him. Especially at the river.
I learned to bait a hook, cut up chicken hearts, clean a fish, run a trout line, run a motor on a boat from my grandfather. I learned to cuss when you poke a hook through your finger, always loan your better stuff to your friends, and make time to drink coffee and play cards with your friends.
What was really going on was me learning what it meant to live in community before I knew what community was. From my lost grandfather, no less! He always had folks over at the house. If you need a tool, he’d come over and help you with the project. Messed up marriage? Come over, play some cards, drink some coffee.
I never saw my grandfather try to fix anybody. He just loved them - even when he thought they were acting like a jack___. (Which I think was his favorite word.)
I also don’t remember my grandfather complaining about much. I’m sure he did, a boy’s memory of his grandfather is always selective. I’m quite sure he had his jack___ moments as well. I just remember him too busy living or fishing or gardening.
Maybe there is an insight for us leaders there - get busy living, investing in others - have less time for complaining. Love people first, don’t try to fix them - especially when they are acting like a jack___. And be sure to make time for coffee and cards.
Run well.
5 responses so far ↓
1 H // Mar 1, 2006 at 11:02 am
Great story….you must have relived some of that when you and Row were fishing. Didn’t you tell me that before he passed your grandfather got saved?
2 Grant // Mar 1, 2006 at 1:44 pm
The jury is out on my grandfather. God literally only knows.
My grandmother DID start following Jesus before she died.
If you looked and listened at some of their arguments, you’d wonder how any of ‘em ever met Jesus…. ha hah a..
3 Mom // Mar 2, 2006 at 9:41 pm
Couldn’t resist a reply about your grandfather , my father - Daddy. When I think of unconditional love…he is the first person on the list. He was truly generous to a fault. He always told me if I ever needed anything to think of him first . All I had to do was call. I have had several days since his passing that I sure could have used his help.
Those long terrible days in ICU, I have to believe he worked out things with the Lord.
You remind me of him in some ways. It brings a smile to my face and tugs on my heart. He would be real proud of the catch of the day.
4 Grant // Mar 3, 2006 at 10:38 am
ahhhh, Pawpaw!
So much of my life has his fingerprints on it. (Both good and bad!!)
My prayer is that he worked his stuff out as well. In many ways he had more evidence of the Holy in his life than many I’ve met and served with that claim to know Jesus.
Other favorite memories of Pawpaw -
selling me a knife for a nickel…
always giving me a wallet with money it…
if you’re catching fish - it’s fishing. if you’re not - it’s quiet and that’s a good thing too.
hats - lots and lots of hats….
5 Barry // Mar 3, 2006 at 11:07 am
Another favorite memory of Pawpaw…
“ever seen how a mule bites corn?”
a glass of milk with torn up slices of bread in it with a spoon… go figure!
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