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Hidden From Sight: A Short Story by Gary Flory

 

Sam was no stranger when it came to fishing. He would pile in the old truck at 5:00 AM with his dad to get out on the lake before sunrise. That’s when the fish were biting and when you had the best chance to catch the big ones. His dad kept a 14-footer with a 20-hp motor tied up to a dock just off one of the inlets. As the sky was just starting to lighten a little, they finished loading the boat. Once they left the dock, there was no running back if they forgot anything. His dad would always check twice that everything was loaded.

“Sam, did you get the baloney sandwiches and tea?” 

“Check.”

“Extra gas can?”

“Right behind you.”

“Ok, push us away from the dock while I start the motor.”

As the sun was just peeking over the horizon, they pulled into their favorite fishing hole. Sam knew his dad was going to say it, because he always did. “Whoever catches the largest fish doesn’t have to clean any.”

Sam’s reply was always, “Fine with me because I plan on the biggest fish ending up in my net.” As he watched his dad bait his hook, he noticed that he would always put the worm upside down on the hook.

“Why do you do it that way?”

His dad had been waiting for Sam to ask him that and did his best to keep a straight face. “Well son, putting the worm upside down confuses the fish. He’s not sure if that worm is trying to back up the line or crawl off the hook. By the time he has it figured out, I already got him hooked.” He waited till Sam turned back around before he started grinning from ear to ear.

As time went on, the father and son fished many years together and enjoyed their time together until the Spring of 2006 when his dad was rushed to the hospital with chest pains. At 85 his heart was worn out, and he passed peacefully during the night. Sam was heartbroken to lose his best friend and fishing buddy. The thought of fishing no longer seemed the same when you had no one to share it with. In fact, that Spring, Sam didn’t take the boat out once. His heartfelt emptiness and joy seemed to run from him. It wasn’t till Fall that he was able to even open his dad’s tackle box. As he looked through the lures, he remembered how his dad taught him how to tie them to the line, so they would flow smoothly through the water. On the bottom of the tackle box, under several boxes of lures, he noticed a white envelope. He could tell it had been in there a long time, as it was more brown and yellow than white. When he opened it, the first thing he noticed was a picture of him and his dad holding their fishing poles in one hand and a fish in the other. It was taken back when Sam was only 10. On the back, his dad had written, these are some of the best times of my life. Sam could no longer hold back the tears.

Wiping the tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, Sam noticed a note still inside the envelope. He slowly unfolded it and knew right away it was his dad’s handwriting.

Hi son. I guess if you’re reading this, it means I’m no longer around. The last thing I want you to be is sad. Ya, you’re gonna miss me for a while, but someday we’ll be together again and have forever to talk about fishing. Go ahead son and catch those big ones, so you can tell me about how the big one didn’t get away. If you want to really catch the granddaddy, put your worm upside down. Love you son. Oh, and by the way, I left you something hidden under my seat in the boat.

Sam had no idea what his dad would have left him, but the next day he was going to find out.

That letter changed Sam’s emotions completely. Just the thought of him getting to see his dad again brightened his whole outlook on life. Sam must have checked the clock 4-5 times during the night, thinking it must be time to get up. Finally, morning came and Sam was out the door headed for the lake. As he looked at the dock and his dad’s boat, a lot of memories came rushing back of all the hours they spent together in that small boat. Sam figured it would only be appropriate to go to their favorite fishing hole before looking under the seat. This time he was in no hurry to get there, looking at all the trees that covered the shoreline, thinking about how many times they had seen their boat pass this way. The blue heron fishing along the edge of the water paid no attention as Sam idled by slowly. He could see the old stump sticking out of the water just ahead, marking their spot. As he slowly drifted up to the stump, he shut off the motor and lowered the anchor. Whatever his dad left for him was soon to be taken from its hiding place. He hadn’t even brought a fishing pole with him. Today wasn’t about fishing, but about what his dad wanted him to have.

The time had come, and Sam stood up so he could open the seat. Back in the corner was a small old wooden box. He lifted it out, put the seat back down, and sat it on his lap. The lid had his name carved in it with a pocketknife. He took his finger and ran it around each letter, Sam. His heart started to beat faster; he almost didn’t want to know what was inside. What if it was something that would break his heart even more? He sat the box down on the seat next to him and looked up to the sky. I sure miss you Dad, as the tears ran down his cheeks. Just then, he saw an eagle fly over and let out a cry. Of all the times they fished there they had never seen an eagle in that area. Sam felt like that was the assurance he needed that all was well.

          He picked the box up and opened the lid. Inside was something wrapped in wax paper and a note under it. He carefully unwrapped the paper to reveal two lures. One was very old, made of wood with most of the paint worn off. The other one was newer, but the paint had faded. Sam wasn’t sure what he was looking at until he read the note. Hi son, you’re probably wondering about these lures. Well, the oldest one was mine. My dad saved it and told me that was the first lure I caught a fish on. The other lure I saved was the one you caught your first fish on. I hope it brings you good memories.

That brought a big smile to Sam’s face. He couldn’t imagine a better gift his dad could have left him. Sadness turned to joy and the whole day seemed brighter. Sam felt the sorrow leaving his body and being replaced with an everlasting peace. He never saw that eagle again, but once was enough to bring joy back into his life. Every once in a while, he will put the worm upside down on his hook and just smile.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34 KJV

Read more stories by Gary Flory here

 

Milliron Monday: Letters Home August 16 1960

  

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"...a Colorado rarity - a thunder storm - is crashing all about the house."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. 

Route 1

Fort Collins, Colorado

Tuesday, August 16, 1960

Hi,

    Thanks, Mom, for the postcard from Mansfield.

    I got a letter from Linda Christenberry (girl on Wilder tour who attended Brenau Academy). She is married and expecting a baby in December. They were married secretly, or eloped, or something or other. 

    Uncle Stick and Aunt Myrt sent Jessica a cute little pair of Levi's and white shirt. They're much too big now, of course, but I expect she'll be riding Starboy in them one of these days. 

    Jessica slept well most of today. She was fussy this evening so I put her on the back bed in her "Nip and Nap" and she watched me iron. She listened to me chat with her and even responded with a couple of coos. She got bored with this after awhile but a bottle of water kept her interested until I finished the shirts. She took her cereal again this evening and seemed to enjoy it. She is presently sound asleep in her crib while a Colorado rarity - a thunder storm - is crashing all about the house. 

    I changed our Denver Post subscription from weekdays to just Sunday since neither Peter nor I manage to read it everyday. Jessica's feeding times, however, have enabled me to read about 14 Irish short stories so far.

    Also a Parent's Magazine arrived today. Thank you very much; it seems to have lots of good ideas.

    Poor Starboy must feel deserted. He was up to the house three times today - just wandering around the fence by our yard. I managed to sneak out for a minute and give him some peppermint candy and stale toast which he greatly enjoyed.

    Guess I'd best get to bed before I fall asleep at this desk.

    Bye for now.

Love, 

Me

     

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Dec 13, 1959

Jan 17, 1960

Jan 23, 1960 

Jan 31, 1960

Feb 5, 1960 

Feb 12, 1960

Mar 5, 1960

Mar 16, 1960 

Mar 21, 1960 

Mar 24, 1960 

Apr 7, 1960 

Apr 10, 1960 

Apr 18, 1960

Apr 24, 1960

Apr 30, 1960 

May 1, 1960 

May 16, 1960 

May 19, 1960

May 28, 1960 

June 4, 1960 

June 19, 1960 

June 24, 1960

July 6, 1960 

August 14, 1960 

August 15, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

  

An Interview with World Poetess N.R.Hart

An Interview with World Poetess N.R.Hart

With the release of her new poetry collection Twin Flame Love: Romantic Poetry, N.R. Hart shines. Her sixth book release, Hart engages readers with her insightful words and captivating scenarios. 

There is an issue with plagiarism into today’s book market, even poetry. This seems to be an ongoing issue for some poets, including N.R.Hart. We discourage and caution writers who are copying copyrighted material; it is illegal. Plagiarism is stealing someone’s intellectual property.

I caught up with N.R. to talk about writing, the poetry world, and much more...

Welcome, N.R.!

GM: What's the premise for your new book?

NRH: The premise behind my new book Twin Flame Love is about a powerful bond between two souls where a higher power is involved like the Universe. There are no accidental meetings between souls. Some loves are grander than the rest. I think for those who have experienced this rare bond, they want to give a name to their feelings.

They want to understand and explore this bond with the higher consciousness of spirituality and love and how the two are intertwined with this connection. Twin Flames have the ability to discover their higher purpose in life, together and apart. It is a love like no other. These poems make you confront your own soul.

GM: What is your writing process?

NRH: I don't pick a poem or a book title to write about out-of-the-blue. It doesn't work that way for me. It starts with a feeling. It starts with passion. It starts with a story.

I explore that feeling and then a story about it develops from the experience. I am a storyteller by nature. I write of experiences, feelings, emotions firsthand, and try my best to describe that feeling before it passes. Feelings are "fleeting things" we must capture them while they are upon us! We must escape into that feeling and let the words take over. I will always write about how I experience life and love with that vulnerable part of me that I expose to my audience. I write poems that are love stories. I once wrote "you don't pick the poem, the poem picks you." And I believe that is real poetry in its purest form.

GM: How do you decide which topics to write about?

NRH: To be honest, it was never my intent to publish a book on Twin Flames. I felt it to be a heavy responsibility and a daunting undertaking to publish an entire book on Twin Flames, a topic so complex, intricate and unexplainable. I needed to get it right for my own personal accountability. 

I have been writing about twin flames since 2012 with my first book Poetry and Pearls and I have included my Twin Flame pieces in all my books. Poetry and Pearls, Poetry and Pearls II, Love Poems to No One, Beauty and Her Beast, The Last of the Romantics. This is my Love Story... the happy, the sad, the beautiful.

It was a request from many of my fans to publish an entire “Twin Flame“ book that included all my Twin Flame pieces in one book. I did it specifically for my fans. I wrote this book for them.

GM: What strategies do you use to stay motivated and focused on writing?

NRH: Many writers ask me what inspires you or how do you stay inspired? First off, if you are not inspired, how are you writing? Either you have an authentic voice inside you that needs to be heard or you don't. You shouldn't be working that hard to stay inspired or motivated, using ideas from other works for inspiration, otherwise, it comes off as not genuine writing and I promise you; you can tell the difference between fake writings and authentic writings. They won't sound believable to the reader. The words sound "forced". Like everything else you have read. To stay inspired and true to your art, you must experience it "firsthand".

You must be passionate about life and love before you can write about them! It is the only way I know how to write. 

GM: Do you have issues with plagiarism and other writer's rewriting or using your work without permission?

NRH: I have had plagiarism issues with other writers copying my work throughout the years, and I do not mind being an inspiration only to those who have a genuine desire to write authentically and carve a brand of their own for their unique art. However,  recently another writer plagiarized my new book Twin Flame Love. They used the same title, similar layout, taking many parts, copying and rewording my introduction, ideas, poems in this book and my other books.

I think someone who attempts this should have been writing of Twin Flames all along, otherwise, it’s using another’s work, book titles and ideas. Anyone can write about Twin Flames, but plagiarism is illegal, and intellectual property should not be stolen! I have been writing about this topic since the release of my first book in 2015 Poetry and Pearls. You don’t pick the Twin Flame  journey. It picks you. 

This has been reported to my publisher as stolen intellectual property and copyright infringement. We are hoping to have this issue resolved. I think we are in an age now where there is little accountability, ethics, and integrity for other’s authentic works. It is a violation of self and privacy.

GM: Your writing appeals to a wide audience. What is your secret for success?

NHR: Being a romantic poet I believe my writing to be in a conversational tone as it comes straight from my heart and soul. Readers can relate to real, authentic, genuine writing. Even though a poem doesn't exactly describe every detail of how they are feeling, they take what they need from poetry and apply it to their own lives. It describes something of what they are feeling and this makes them feel less alone. I also write about the feelings you have trouble admitting to yourself out loud. All the words you are afraid to say.

I will never be one of those poets who writes about what people "want" to hear. I will write about what people "need' to hear. I am going to tell you how love "really" is, not how it should be. I want real feelings, real thoughts, real emotions. I want my reckless heart to be full of wild poetry!

Sometimes people feel like their feelings aren't valid, or they are crazy, or they shouldn't be feeling what they are feeling. But, the truth is feelings are "uncomfortable" things. This is why people shut down and stop feeling. Poetry makes readers confront their feelings. They find comfort in poetry. It makes them feel less alone.

GM: What do you believe will be the biggest challenge facing authors in 2024 and beyond? Do you feel AI will play a role in the future of poetry?

NHR: I love the "human" aspect of writing, the rawness, the imperfect words, the fumbling around to describe emotions, the "human touch" in writing, art. and poetry. I personally do not enjoy AI art, I think it takes the humanness out of it. I am old school. I want my poetry and art drawn by a human hand with human feeling behind it. I want to experience it - not perfect poetry or perfect art that AI produces. AI is a shortcut, and I happen to believe poetry and art should be hard and messy, and struggling, just like human beings are.

Connect with N.R.Hart…

www.nrhart.com

Amazon Author Page

Barnes & Noble  

Facebook

 

An Interview with Ohio Author Manjulika Koshal

Residing in Athens, Ohio, Manjulika Koshal is the author of Values that Shapes Us: Inspirational Stories and Quotes. Manjulika was a signing author at the December 2023 Hocking Hills Book Fair. I caught up with her and asked about her book, writing, and much more…

Welcome, Manjulika!

GM: What is the premise for your book Values that Shapes Us: Inspirational Stories and Quotes?

MK: I started the book with the simple hypothesis, do values acquired from one’s environment help shape one’s thinking and personality? I wanted to test my hypothesis and therefore started asking many of my friends and colleagues around and almost everyone replied that the values they acquired from their elders have helped them shape their thinking, their personalities, and their philosophy and each had a short story to tell. I then decided to collect the stories.

Hence the premise of my book is that Values acquired over the course of our lives, do indeed help shape our personalities and thinking.  

This book is a collection of inspirational stories of motivation woven around universal human values, norms, and codes of conduct. The stories are the lightening stars that provide depth and guidance for a new horizon to the readers. Viewed in this light,  the book has a unique appeal for all. It will serve as an effective tool of encouragement, inspiration and learning for many.

The second question that naturally arises is what is the book about? The book is divided into three parts and each part carries the same theme as to how values have helped shape the lives of the authors. 

The first part is a collection of fifty-two personal and true stories from people of every walk of life about their experiences and lessons learned of “values” that inspired them and which they got from their home and other elders and friends that helped shape their lives. Most of the contributors are known to me. 

Part II consists of true stories or anecdotes collected in my research and are about people who are celebrities as well as about the ordinary people. Part III are quotes on the same themes as Part I and II.

In a nutshell, the book is about values and how they shape lives. Values help to set goals and develop a world view that serves as a guide for people to navigate their lives. These values shape personalities and enable people to overcome obstacles and challenges by perseverance, hard work, determination and faith in themselves and others around them.

GM: What makes the book interesting and unique?

MK: The book is unique and interesting as it offers first person stories of people’s live experiences. Along with this, there are stories as examples of men and women who have had the courage to change their lives and inspire others, despite the struggles facing them. To these stories I have added quotes that have inspired me related to the issue of values. A combination of stories and quotes is a unique way to show the role of values in our lives. 

GM: What would you like readers to take away from this book?

MK: Readers might realize the importance of values, especially those passed on by their ancestors, through generations. The stories of individual struggles and values could inspire readers of all ages to think about their lives and how they could live more generously and in a large-hearted way.

Inspirations are the core of human existence. There are many ways that people get inspired. Sometimes there are certain personalities who inspire us, sometimes there are various customs and norms and sometimes the wonders of nature and our planet system provide us inspiration. 

For example, the discipline of the sun, moon, and the solar system - all working together in perfect coordination on exact timings each day, inspire us to realize the value of doing our duty truthfully and systematically and in compliance of our moral codes of conduct. 

George Bernard Shaw got inspired by the river and as a result he produced the famous poem, “Men may come and men may go, But I go on forever.” We imbibe these values that shape our thinking, our personality, and our course of life. 

Sometimes, our value systems, the universal code of conduct inspire us, and we unconsciously imbibe these values that are later reflected in our personalities and in our thinking. 

Viewed in this light,  the book has a unique appeal for all. It will serve as an effective tool of encouragement. It is meant to inspire, lift the spirits, and serve as food for reflection. 

GM: Who will the book appeal to?

MK: I hope the book will appeal to a wide spectrum of people of all ages. Young people might like to read stories of values that shaped their parents and grandparents. Older people might be curious about the experiences of other elders. And for those who are unwell, distressed, and suffering, I hope it will be a source of healing, encouragement, and inspiration to live with faith and hope. 

GM: List five things that you want your fans to know about you…

MK:

1.   I have taught for thirty plus years at Ohio university in the School of Business and in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Japan. My specialization is Operations Research and International Management. 

2.   However, I have published over 100 articles in various scholarly journals in a wide variety of areas such as Women in Leadership, the effect of TV watching on Eight grade children, Economics of Higher Education and on Environment and Health. 

3.   I also served as Director of the International Administrative Studies program at Ohio University, mentoring, and advising international students from many countries in the program. 

4.   I was also an active member of the American Association of University Women and served in various capacities on the local chapter along with on the AAUW Board for awarding the International Scholarships to deserving Women. 

5.   I was active in the Athens community, having raised funds for the Athens Food Pantry, a service for the needy and homeless. 

6.   My hobbies are gardening, reading, writing cooking,  travel and entertaining and socializing with my family and friends. I have a garden at my home, and I love to watch every morning to see new flowers blooming from the buds. 

7.   I have two children, and all are well settled. My husband also is an Emerita Professor of Economics at Ohio University. 

About the Author: Manjulika Koshal is a Emerita Professor at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. She taught both Graduate and undergraduate students at the School of Business for thirty years. A native of India, Koshal made Athens her home 54 years ago after she married her husband Dr. Rajindar Koshal, Emeritus Professor of Economics at OU. They have two children and six grandchildren. In her retirement, Koshal enjoys traveling, gardening, reading, socializing, cooking, and spending time with her happy family.

Purchase on Amazon

This Week @ Monday Creek: A Day at Fernwood Farm

 

February! Winter is almost over and the feeling of being released from the freezer is exhilarating. Spring flowers have popped up in my flowerbeds! The sun has been super bright this week and it permeates the soul, fauna, and flora.

Today my bestie and I traveled to Fernwood Farm. Traffic was minimal and we enjoyed catching up on work events, personal scenarios, and life in general. Arriving at our destination we met our host, Kelly, at The Galley, a favorite lunch spot. I adore the quaint, old-world feel of the dining room with crystal chandeliers encircled in cast iron. But, most of all, meeting with good friends on a Wednesday is the best. We began with an appetizer – crispy bacon kissed brussels sprouts. My choice for lunch was a gourmet candied apple burger (recommended). An engaging meal and three cups of black coffee later, we all opted for dessert. Mine was a decadent glass of chocolate mousse with homemade whipped cream. Yum. Lunch time over, we headed to Kelly’s Fernwood Farm where homesteading rules and love is paramount.

First, we walked to the pig barn where everyone lives in luxury with full beds of straw, Jolly Balls hang intentionally from the rafters for easy play, food bins are secured for safety, water bowls are full, and where belly rubs are required. Like baby birds, mouths opened automatically for a treat from our luncheon leftovers. The barn is full of happy pigs. Oink, oink, oink… more treats please. Charlotte seems to be the barn favorite. She is a bit bigger than the other pigs and has a certain charm. With bright eyes she oinks, “Welcome to my barn, thanks for stopping by.”

Next, we met the five new, adorable KuneKune pigs. They live in the front yard, just outside the living room glass doors. “It’s Pig TV,” Kelly says. And it is! We met KK, NeNe, Sugar, Spice, and Teddy. Sugar and Spice are sisters; Teddy is the only boar.

Spending time at Fernwood Farm is always inspiring and uplifting. Both Kelly and her husband, Mark, are wonderfully creative. Mark, a seasoned carpenter, was on a ladder, busy building a back porch. It is completely artisan and his own design (why can’t all husbands be carpenters?). Kelly, a sensational artist who graduated with honors from Pratt University, New York, has illustrated several books for us. We are crazy about her talent and amazing designs. She continues to create in her home studio where pigs inspire and art abounds. We are collaborating on a cute book about her pigs (stay tuned for release date, etc.).

Finally, it’s time to say goodbye. Kelly offers us a dozen craft eggs (like craft beer), all natural and cage-free. She hands me a large bag of extra-fancy apples for Zubie, my paint mare. As we walk to the car, Kelly explains her garden layout and where her vegetables will grow in ergonomic-designed raised garden beds. Homesteading is hard work, but Kelly won’t tell you that, she will say that it’s all a labor of love.

A fun day, we reflect on our time at Fernwood Farm and look forward to visiting again soon. Thank you, Kelly! xoxox!

Kelly Lincoln: Featured Artist

Mail from Fernwood Farm on Pinterest

Working with Wood: An Interview with Mark Rila

Jonah: A Short Story by Ohio Writer Gary Flory

 

The ground had warmed and all chance of frost had passed. The garden had been plowed and raked, ready to be planted. I had just finished a row of carrots, and was getting down on my knees placing the peas in a row, when I heard the screen door slam shut. My grandson, Pete, had just stormed out of the house and was headed my way. I kept on planting, never looking up. I could see his shoes standing next to me, but he didn’t say a word. I set a pea on his shoe, and kept on planting. “GRANDPA”. I could tell he was smiling by the tone of his voice. He reached down, grabbed the pea, and put it on top of my head. That’s when I reached out and grabbed him quickly, half scaring him, but making him laugh out loud. “So, what were you upset about?"

“I’m mad at my dad. Some of my friends were riding their bikes down to the shake shop, and he wouldn’t let me go.”

“Why not?”

“He told the neighbor that I would rake the leaves out of his yard.”

“Is that a big deal?”

“YES!”

“I hate that guy.”

That’s when I stopped planting, and looked at Pete with a serious frown. “Why do you hate your neighbor?”

“He’s old and cranky, and always complaining about everything.”

I stood up, put my arm on Pete’s shoulder and said, “Let’s take a walk.”

We went down the trail, through the woods, to the pond. There were two Adirondack chairs on the bank overlooking the pond, and I invited Pete to sit. “Pete, have you ever heard the story of Jonah?” He thought a little bit, and said, “No, I don’t think so.”

“It’s about a guy who was mad at his Father too. It’s been a while since I read the story, but I remember it well.”

Pete sat back in his chair and was watching the dragonfly that landed on a cattail. “What happened?”

“His name was Jonah, and his Father asked him to go to that country up north and tell them that if they didn’t stop worshiping false gods, that their city would be destroyed. Just like you, Jonah hated that country, and said no, I’m not going to do it.”

“Good for him,” Pete said.

Before he could say anything else, I said, “But that’s not the end of the story.”

“What happened, did his father whip him?”

“In a way, he kinda did,” I said. “Instead of going toward the country, he got on a ship, and sailed the opposite direction.”

“What did his dad do?”

“He didn’t do anything for a few days, but then He caused a big storm to come, and the ship was being tossed all over the place. Everyone thought the ship was going to sink.”

“Was Jonah scared?”

“He knew that this storm was his fault, that God was upset with him, and he had to make it stop before the ship sank and everyone would drown.”

“But how could he stop the storm?” By this time, Pete’s attention was fully on me.

“He told the men that they had to throw him overboard, to make the storm stop.”

“But he would drown, Grandpa.”

“Yes, that’s what he thought, but better one should die than all. They didn’t want to do it, but he insisted they had too. So they did.”

“That’s a sad ending, Grandpa.”

“Oh, but that’s not the end. When he hit the water, a huge fish came and swallowed him.”

“You mean a shark ate him?”

“No, it was a special fish that God created. Some people say it was a whale, but it was more than just any old whale.”

“Did the stomach acid kill him or did he suffocate?”

“Nether, remember, I said this was a special fish. The fish started swimming back in the direction that they had come from.”

“Jonah must have thought he was going to die in the fish.”

“Think about this, Pete, it would have been pitch black in there. He was soaking wet with salt water, with no way of knowing what time it was, or how deep underwater they were. If the fish opened its mouth, the pressure and water would kill him.”

“What happened next?”

“Well, when he realized God still wanted him to go to that country, he started praying, asking God to help him. He lived three days in the belly of this fish, until the fish spit him out close to shore. He was ready to go and do what his Father had asked him to do.”

“When he told that country what was going to happen to them, what did they do?”

“They listened to him, and God spared the country.” 

“So, you’re telling me this because I was mad at my dad?”

About then, a fish jumped up in the middle of the pond. We looked at each other. “I told you this story because I don’t want to see you in that fish’s belly,” then started laughing. Pete joined in, “Nor would I.”

As we walked back to the house, Pete told me to lean down. When I did, the pea fell out of my hair. “I didn’t want anybody to call you a pea-brain,” and he started laughing at me. “I’ll pea-brain you,” and started messing up his hair. He took off running, and I shouted, “Where are you going?” He kept on going, but I heard him say that he had some raking to do. As I knelt down to finish planting, I said thank you, Lord, for giving me a teaching opportunity. Sometimes I do feel like a pea-brain, and let out a chuckle.

Read the story of Jonah in the Old Testament, Jonah 1-4

6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. (KJV)

Are you looking for a Church family? The Nelsonville Wesleyan Church invites you to Sunday morning service at 10 am. Sunday School for youth and adults begins at 9 am. Visit the Nelsonville Wesleyan Church facebook page for events, special services, and worship times.