BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND
My daddy was a preacher in a small church in a small
town. He was happy being that small town
preacher. For many years he held a
second job too. But preaching was his
passion and that church and its members was his life.
My mother always thought he short-changed himself. I can remember her saying, “He could be
preaching at a big church that would provide us a home and a bigger salary.” He didn’t care. Everyone at church knew him and he knew
them. He visited them when they were in
the hospital. He would go to their homes
just to check in on them. He would pray
with them. He kept their confidences. He knew everyone’s kids, nieces and nephews,
the grandparents and aunts and uncles.
He had his faults and shortcomings but he had his positives
also. He was tender hearted. He never met a stranger. He would strike up a conversation with
anyone, anywhere. He was a very fast and
accurate typist. He cooked the best
roast, potatoes and carrots I’ve ever eaten.
He didn’t hold a grudge. His
church members were his family and friends.
He didn’t have lofty goals and he achieved the ones he set for himself.
He was a great preacher.
His messages were succinct. I
remember him telling me that when he was in college he had a professor who said,
“If you can’t get your point across in 30 minutes, you need to sit down.” He took that to heart. His sermons were almost always 30 minutes,
except if the Cowboys were playing an early game. Then his sermon might be 20 minutes. No matter the length of the sermon, his
message was well thought out. Preaching
truly was his calling in life. And not
just preaching but leading a congregation.
That was all he wanted in his career.
Many times when I have had to decide whether to work for a
small company or a big corporation, I always thought of my daddy. I heard him say many times, “I’d rather be a
big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.” I feel the same way. That’s why he stayed at that little church in that
little town for so many years. I know he
was glad he did.
copyrighted 2014
caryn cannatella
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