George Washington Carver was a devoutly spiritual man who looked to God for new innovation and insight. During a boll weevil plague that consumed the farmer’s cotton crops, Mr. Carver encouraged the farmers to grow peanuts because the boll weevils don’t eat peanuts. The resulting bumper crop of peanuts presented a new challenge. There was an abundance of peanuts with very little known use except as livestock feed.
Mr. Carver was severely criticized for preaching “the peanut gospel.” In a time of searching for better solutions, he related this conversation with God. “Why did you make the universe?” God responded, “Your little mind asks too much. Ask something more your size.” Mr. Carver asked, “What was man made for?” God replied, “You are still asking too much, little man. Try once more.” Mr. Carver then asked, “Dear Creator, why did you make the peanut?” Now you are asking questions your own size,” God replied. “Together we will find the answers.”
Hearing this promise, George Washington Carver ran to the laboratory classroom at Tuskegee where he worked for the next six days and nights without interruption. When he emerged, he had over 300 uses for the peanut. Carver did not patent or profit from most of his products but freely gave his discoveries to mankind. “God gave them to me.” he would say about his ideas, “How can I sell them to someone else?”
I know I’ve been guilty of looking for the ‘big idea” while overlooking the opportunities right under my nose. What about you? Do you have a “peanut” idea that just needs to be developed?
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“He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world.” – Epitaph on the grave of George Washington Carver.
“Do you have a “peanut” idea that just needs to be developed?” What a great question! I’m going to chew on that “peanut”…maybe I do.
Love it! Just drove by George Washington Carver High School on my way back home from Franklin. It’s a beautiful school with many talented students.
Jevonnah – his genius and spirit continue to inspire me.
Greetings Dan,
Great post, this example reinforces the importance of mindset. Working with a spirit of service to others while having faith. Mr Carver was wise enough to ask for and listen for God’s replies, finding the little idea that had huge implications. This is something many of us do not do in our haste to move the needle in the chaos of our noisy worlds. As for me, yes I do have a great little idea! Although I have not found it I will. As you say, success is an inner game.
Thanks
Paul,
Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath, ask God for wisdom and look at what is right in front of us.
Dan, thanks for sharing this powerful story. How many times are we guilty of searching for the big idea, fame, and fortune when the best ideas are right there in front of us? I probably wouldn’t be enjoying my daily dose of salted peanuts without Mr. Carver.
Chris – oh so true! Brian Tracy says we all have probably 3-4 ideas a year that would make us millionaires. But we are quick to dismiss them as too ease, probably already been done, etc. without simply taking action.