Fishermen

The other day our son Brock asked me, “Dad, what is your favorite book?”  I didn’t blink.

“The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.”

I will spare you the back and forth “why” discussion that followed, however I’ll share that it’s a great story, easy to follow and digest.  And of course, there is a sports angle woven into the narrative.  But I digress.

This week’s Monday Huddle Up is about fishermen, but not Santiago, the main character in Hemingway’s masterpiece.  Today’s story is about my childhood best friend, Wadell Blackwell.

As many of you know, my friend passed away suddenly a couple of months ago.  While these past few weeks have been challenging for our entire tribe, there have been multiple positive tributes paid to “Del” including a group of nearly 30 people that traveled to watch our favorite basketball team topple the defending national champions.  All in Del’s spirit.

One of the messages that was shared on the many email and text threads leaning into the basketball trip was around Del’s commitment to people.  His unwavering efforts on a daily basis to connect with people at all levels.  The ability of this great man to truly engage with others where they are was unbelievable.  At the luncheon after his funeral, I asked the room of over 100 people, “How many of you had Wadell in your wedding?”

I knew there were at least three, including me…..

12 people raised their hands.

12.  Unreal.

I think I’m a pretty good guy with a lot of close friends, and I’ve been in three.  12 is mind boggling.  Which leads us into the theme for this week’s Huddle Up.

There is a story in scripture about the difference between being a “fisherman” and a “fisher of men.”  The former fishes for food.  The latter “collects” people and all that they are.  Wadell was a collector of relationships for sure.  Del was a master at connecting with people from all walks of life, and keeping those relationships fresh.  That was his superpower. 

Are we out there fishing for short term results?  For events, business, hitting our quarterly goals, climbing the corporate ladder.

Or are we fishing for the future?  For meaningful relationships, connections, and long-term win-win results.

One thing that Del believed in unequivocally is that old quote, “If you are always the smartest one in the room, you are in the wrong room.”  He was quite intelligent, however he was always looking for more information from others.  He readily admitted he didn’t know what he didn’t know.  A humble disposition that is becoming pretty rare in the cancel culture we live in today.

Build a new relationship bridge this week.  Revisit an old one that may have gone unattended to recently.  Find a room where everyone else is smarter.

Channel your fishing just like Del would.

Have a great week ahead!  (And of course, Bear Down!)