I don’t do well with self-control, and this past Thanksgiving
was a perfect example. Because extra pounds have been creeping their way onto
the scale, I’ve been trying to watch what I eat. I did pretty well during
dinner, eating only one plate of turkey with all the fixings. However, when it
was time for dessert the flood gates opened and I ate four pieces of pie with
ice cream and Ready Whip. My stomach aches just reminiscing about it.
Since this is an outdoor blog, not a food blog, let’s get to the
area where I have the least self-control…firearms deer hunting season. Now, I
could give you all kinds of reasons and excuses as to why I lack self-control
during the firearms season and so I will. First, I love deer hunting! I love
everything about it - the time spent with family, time in the woods, and all
the prep work leading up to it. Second, the minute I get home from the hunt, I
start looking forward to next year. The list goes on and on.
This year, like many previous years, I told my hunting partners
that I’m only going to shoot a buck. Also, this year, like many previous years,
they scoffed at me, knowing I lack the self-control. When opening morning
arrived, my anticipation was very high. A couple hours after sunrise, my son
sent me a text stating a doe was heading my way with a buck 30 seconds behind
her. He even said, “wait for the buck, it’s right behind her.” This got my
heart pounding with excitement, so much so that I’m sure the space station could hear it.
Sure enough, a moment later the doe came right toward me. My mind raced with
thoughts of what if the buck doesn’t come this way, or what if this is the only
deer we have an opportunity to shoot? BANG! I decided quickly and harvested the
doe. Sure enough, 30 seconds later here comes the buck. BANG! There were no
“what if” thoughts for him. Sure enough, that evening my hunting partners
harassed me about shooting the doe. NOTE: no other deer were shot that weekend
and I brought home the big buck trophy (second year in a row).
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is
not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond
your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape,
that you may be able to endure it.
