This is a picture of Jacob, my nine year old.  Poor boy, he is eat up with Dean Herman.  Many call him DJ, Dean junior.  Anyway, I took him to a friends pond last weekend and he caught his first bass by himself.  Hooked it and brought it in.  He was one jacked up little fellow.

I've come to find out the hard way that to produce more leaders, you must explain, teach, reteach and allow people to try on their own.  Jacob and I have fished together on numerous occasions.  He has never really enjoyed it.  Didn't have the patience.  Must have gotten this trait from his Mother.  BUt, now that he has tasted victory, he is ready to fish anytime.  We went back to the same pond yesterday evening but didn't catch anything.  As we were leaving he told me he still had a great time.  All I did was buy him a Zebco and put a beetle spin on it.  He walked the edges of that pond for over an hour just casting his little arm off. 

How did I play a role in this adventure.  I gave Jacob the vision, catch a fish.  Explained how to do it and showed him the proper techniques.  It has taken a few years for him to actually grasp the concept, but the boy has finally caught on. 

I love the way the psalmist phrases it in Psalm 32:8,

Psalm 32:8 
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

This isn't always easy, but when you see someone with leadership potential finally get it; its worth the wait!