I’m thankful for the time to be able to spend with my dad in the deer woods.
First of all, these words are being typed out as I’m sitting in a deer stand. My dad, my brother, Seth, and I have been blessed with the opportunity to join a deer lease for the first time in our lives. We always had our own land to hunt on when I was growing up, but since we have all moved to this area of Arkansas we have not been able to hunt locally and consistently for a while until this year. We’ve been able to go for a few days here and there, but now we have the opportunity to spend more time enjoying this hobby together. For that I’m so thankful.
We are learning a few things together and I wanted to jot these two down so that I can come back to them and perhaps even encourage you in your thankfulness, too.
1.We have learned we need an ATV or 4 wheeler. It’s quite a walk to get to our deer stand and it’s hard on the oldest of us three. However I have learned to be thankful for our bodies’ ability to move and exercise. We’ve hauled corn, feeders, snacks, coffee, snacks, guns and ammo, and snacks all out to the deer stands with our own bodies, but it would be so much easier with a mode of transportation with 4 wheels. However, this challenge has motivated me to be thankful for our healthy bodies’ ability to move. I know, not everyone has that ability and I’m not going to take it for granted. I’m thankful for our bodies. It reminds me of the passage from 1 Corinthians 6:20. In the context, Paul is exhorting the readers to “flee immortality” especially immoral acts of the body. He explains that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that we should understand we are not our own. Our bodies are valuable and precious and have been “bought with a price.” “Therefore, glorify God in your body”. Sure we need an ATV and if I got one for Christmas I’d glorify God with it. But in the mean time I’ll glorify God the best I can with my body.
2.We have learned to be thankful for quality time with each other. Dad has come up and spent the night at our house for several days. We have eaten together, watched movies, visited and talked about life, the church, our kids, and solved the worlds problems. I can’t put a price on that. We needed it and it has been healthy for us. Sometimes we concentrate so much on our physical health we end up neglecting mental health. Joy, laughter, and being merry is good for your health. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.” This time of joy has been so good for us in our mental health and for that I’m so thankful.
I hope this encourages you to be thankful too.
I love you,
Alexander