From the Pastor… Why I Hunt

Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. — John Muir

Muir describes what I experience hunting. Getting in a tree stand for even a few hours is an exercise in patient watching, listening, waiting, and being a silent observer of nature. So much to see! The trees changing from green to colors, the leaves falling, the effects of the wind, the brightness of the sky, the movement of animals. Yes, many people would be quite bored, but I find it fascinating.

I may be deer hunting and see dozens in a season but only take a shot at a couple of them. But I also see squirrels, turkeys, song birds, woodpeckers, hawks, buzzards, crows, snakes, racoons, possums, chipmunks, foxes, coyotes, and even bears. (True, in warm weather there are pesky flies, gnats, and mosquitos.)

Being a passive observer in the woods is a therapeutic time for thinking, praying, reflecting… and, yes, sometimes dozing. I come out of the woods relaxed and grateful, appreciating God’s creativity. So, if I don’t bag a deer… I don’t care.

Keeping close to Nature’s heart, as Muir suggests, is a great way to keep close to God’s heart. No, you don’t have to be hunting. Just go to the woods and fields.
I highly recommend it.

God’s best to you today,
Lee