In the 15 years I lived with Mums & Dad prior to his passing in November 1988, just 4 days before his 74th birthday, he was often quiet…never having a lot to say. But if he did speak, you knew it was going to be something to hang your hat on.
Over the years, I worked side by side with him on various projects around the house and in the garden, and in those times he helped to instill in me the values that I’ve tried to uphold, but have so often failed. And, he taught me about the things that truly matter in life, but wealth and popularity were nowhere on that list. What is, however, I present here…
- Gentleness & tenderness are often greater strengths than force & intimidation.
- A man’s true strength comes from kneeling before God, rather than posturing before men.
- Hard work may never make you rich, but you must always give everything you’ve got to whatever you do.
- Never turn away a stranger in need because you don’t know when you’ll be walking in their shoes.
- Always look for the beauty in nature.
- Fishing isn’t necessarily about catching fish.
Having said that, I’ve been thinking lately about what that really means. And this is what I’ve arrived at.
The world tells us strength is about dominance—being the loudest voice in the room, the firmest handshake, the most intimidating presence. But real strength often looks quite different. Gentleness and tenderness require far more courage than force and intimidation. The writer of Proverbs tells us that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Jesus could have crushed His enemies with a word, yet He chose to serve, to heal, to love. That’s the kind of strength that changes the world.
A man isn’t strong because he stands tall before others—he’s strong because he kneels before God. James, in his letter to the church at Jerusalem, advised them to “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10). Pride puffs up, but humility brings true power. The moment we acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers, that we need something greater than ourselves, is the moment we find the strength to stand firm. Posturing before men may earn their respect for a time, but bowing before God secures an eternal foundation.
And then there’s hard work. It may never make you rich in the way the world defines wealth, but that was never the goal anyway. The reward isn’t just in the paycheck—it’s in the diligence, the perseverance, the satisfaction of giving your best. In Paul’s admonitions to the church at Collossi, his instructions included “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). Whether the world notices or not, God does.
Life has a way of humbling us, reminding us that we’re all just one moment away from needing grace ourselves. That’s why we should never turn away a stranger in need. And a very personal experience when I was about 10 or 11 illustrated the wisdom of Paul when he said, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). You never know when you’ll be the one hoping for a hand, a kind word, or a bit of mercy. The Good Samaritan didn’t ask if the wounded man was worthy—he simply helped. That’s what love does.
Amid the grind, don’t forget to look up. The beauty of nature is one of God’s simplest, yet most profound gifts. King David, in a way that only he could with his gift of poetry and his very personal relationship with the Creator, stated, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). A golden sunrise, a bird’s song, the way the trees dance in the wind—it’s all a reminder of His presence, His artistry, His goodness.
And sometimes, life is like fishing. It’s not always about what you catch—it’s about the experience, the patience, the stillness. The psalmist summed it up best when he said,“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It’s about learning to enjoy the moment, to find peace in the waiting. Some of the best days on the water don’t end with a full net, just a full heart.
So walk gently, work hard, give freely, and take in the beauty around you. There’s more to life than power and success. Sometimes, the greatest strength is found in the simplest things.
