When You Can Walk on Water, Take the Boat - Webs

laugh, remembering his problems of the evening before.
He smiled, and changed the conversation back to my
work. “So things aren’t going too well with your business?” he
asked.
“We’ve been struggling for a long time, a real long
time, Gideon. There are times when we think we see light at
the end of the tunnel, but more often than not it’s a freight
train. It’s tough.” I was surprised to find myself speaking this
way to a stranger. I normally don’t share my problems with
those who aren’t close to me, but somehow this time seemed
different.
“Why struggle? A seasoned swimmer does not struggle
against the water. He flows with it, using it as a means of
reaching his goal. Don’t struggle, just follow the flow. Let the
river of life carry you.”
The restaurant was mostly empty now. In between our
conversation we'd managed to finish our brief lunch. Only two
tables across from us were occupied. I glanced at my watch.
It was time to go. But my strange friend wasn’t ready to
leave. He gave me the impression that he wanted to tell me
something. Again, I had that sense of foreboding—not quite
foreboding, but almost like I was getting involved in things for
which I wasn’t ready nor prepared. I paid the bill and he offered
to pay his share, but I refused. He thanked me and got
up.
“Do you have a business card?” I asked. He reached
into his pocket, pulled out a card and handed it to me. “Thank
you. I must say good-bye now and get back to that crazy job I
have,” I said.
“Be grateful that you have a job to go to,” he replied.
We walked to the door and went outside. I hoped he wasn’t
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