The Mexican Fisherman

In one of my businesses classes the other day Steve Wages came and spoke to the class about how success as the world defines it can be hazardous to your family's health. I wanted to share the handout that he gave us. I am not sure who it was written by but it is a great story. He had also shared this in his Ministry to Fathers class because it relates to people keeping their priorities straight instead of running after earthly treasures.

An American businessman was at a pier in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.


The Mexican replied only a little while.


The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish?


The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The American then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time?

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening up your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But senor, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

But what then, senor?

The American laughed and said thats the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.

Millions, senor? Then what?

The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you would sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

Will your kids be around in 15 to 20 years? How will your marriage be in 15 to 20 years?

I pray that in my life, I always seek to be "poor in spirit." That I consider my God and my family my number one priority and show them that by the time and effort I put in to them.

Do you have any spare change?

Today, I want to discuss a struggle that I often have inside myself. In the last couple months, I have many instances where people come from out of nowhere and ask me for money to help them out. There is always a story that goes along with it that I always find hard to believe. One time a guy came up to me on ACU campus asking for money because his car was out of gas. Well, I offered to get him gas and take him to his car. After going on wild goose chase, I finally dropped him off at a friends house and gave him money that he needed to make it to San Angelo.

Another guy came to my house because he had been kicked out of his house because he couldnt pay rent. He told a good story despite the alcohol on his breath. So I gave him the $10 he needed to be able to stay in his house that night.

There are so many instances of people asking me for money where I highly doubt that their "story" is anywhere close to the truth. My thoughts tell me that these people are going to use their money for alcohol or drugs or something else that is not what they are telling me. But I often end up giving them money anyway because I feel that I am suppose to help those in need. But then I struggle because I leave feeling that I did not really help them at all but just enabled them to continue getting their fix or whatever. I try to have a heart to help people. I want to help those in need. But when people just come up asking me for money and then exit my life I do not feel that I helped them at all. There is no relationship built so I that I can continue helping them and showing them God's love.

Maybe by giving them money they do benefit because they see love from me that they do not often see. Or maybe they leave me feeling proud of themselves because they just dooped another person with money. So that is a struggle I have been having lately. I never feel good when I give people money because I feel that I have just been taken. I dont know what to do in these situations. When I dont give them money I feel selfish and heartless. When I do, I feel like I have just been taken for my money. Lately, I have quit carrying cash for a different reason. But it almost makes me feel good to tell people that I dont carry cash. Am I really loving when I think this? But am I really loving when I give them money?

Does anybody else struggle with this? What are some suggestions or thoughts about better things to do? I want to learn how to love these people and show love to these people but I dont know if giving them money is the best way.

Storms

When life’s storms come, we only have God to get us through. The next year of my life is going to be hectic, stressful, and dependent on the Source of my strength. I love the analogy of the calm at end of the storm. Sure we have to go through hard times. We go through things that are not ideal. Things happen that are difficult, trying, and make you want to scream. But there is always hope in that wonderful moment when the storm is over. When the sun comes out and God’s glory is revealed in the peace and tranquility. When you realize you are so much stronger after going through it. When you realize that your dependence on God was the strongest in the midst of the storm. When you realize that the promises of God are for real. He got you through. It was nothing you did.

Then another storm comes and you must rely on God once again. The storms never end. They may be big, small, or even unnoticed. Life is hard. That’s a fact. But I love what cows do when they see a storm coming. They run toward it. Why? I guess they know that the faster they run toward it, the sooner it will be over. The quicker they get to the calm. Yes, life is hard. But don’t fear it. Trust in God and live it. Run toward the storms toward the hope and joy that God promises on the other side.

I Love Kasey Pearson!!

I wrote a previous post about my amazing fiancee but it was covered up way too soon by other posts. Therefore, this one will be left up longer to honor my love, my angel.

Kasey Pearson (my fiancee) is the most beautiful, most captivating girl in the whole world and I am absolutely enthralled by her beauty. Her beauty goes far beyond the physical aspect, though that is a part of her amazing beauty. Her inner beauty comes from the fact that she is everything that God created her to be. When God looks at her, there is no doubt he looks at her and says, "Wow, I did really good!" She always seeks to follow Him and has an amazing heart. I am constantly learning from her compassion and her empathy for others. Almost every word she speaks helps build others up. And I am always learning through herwhat it truly means to guard your heart and mind. When I see a sunset that is prettier than most, I say "Thats beautiful." And I stand in awe of God, who created sunsets for us to enjoy. When I stare at the night sky with the stars sparkling, I say, "Thats beautiful." And I stand in awe of God who created such a magnificent creation. When I stare into Kasey's eyes and learn about every aspect of her, I say, "Your'e beautiful!" And I stand in awe of God who created a such a beautiful, wonderful woman that is everything I could ever want or desire.

I look forward to dancing with Kasey the rest of my life. With God as our instructor, life will be an amazing dance as we draw closer to Him and each other. I look forward to all the things I will learn in this dance. I look forward to learning more about her, more about me, and more about God. I look forward to the great times ahead, the laughter, the joy, the excitement, the service, and so many other things. And though we will also go through pain, hardships, and troubles, I would never want to go through that with anyone else.

I love Kasey Pearson! And I want the world to know.