After my encounter with the Greek, whenever I wanted to do something I knew would meet my father’s harsh disapproval; I did as the fisherman advised - not tell my father until after the deed was done. This was how I sold that first practice after owning it less than a year and a half.

Though I was making more money than most 21-year-olds could imagine, I was unhappy — with the town, with the style of practice, with my entire life.

And looking back, I thank God for my decisiveness, otherwise I would now be a very rich but totally miserable young man probably with a drinking or drug problem. But when I decided to put that first practice up for sale, I knew the fisherman was right. I couldn’t tell Dad. So I waited until after it was sold. And to my amazement, when I did tell him, though he was stunned-shocked — he accepted it. What else could he do at that point?

Strangely, I never again ran into the fisherman; try as I might to later find him around the lake casting his murderous line. But like some odd, brown, oversized angel, he served a divine purpose in my life just when it was needed most.

I now realise that our times of greatest strife may often become our moments of greatest revelation. And since that day of meeting the old fisherman, there always has been a prayer of thanks in my heart that he was sent my way. And for my father who, though less than perfect, nevertheless perfectly loved me. — Beliefnet.com (Concluded)