One of the things I know about hunting is that if your mind is home, you might as well go home. There have been many, many times over the years when I knew that going to sit in a tree stand was not the best idea. Either I had stuff I needed to do, or my wife wasn’t pleased with the fact I was spending that particular morning in the woods. And while I may have gone anyways, it was never a good hunt. Because part of a good hunt is having your mind in the same place your body is in. Thankfully as I got older, I was able to know if the timing was right or not. Sometimes, if was out of town, I had no choice. But when I’m home I had rather not go, than go and not enjoy my time. Most of you know what I am talking about – especially if you’re sitting in a blind this morning, knowing that your trip did not receive the blessings from those who stayed at home.
My season opened this weekend. I stayed home. That is not unusual for me if I’m not seeing a good buck or if my freezer is full of meat. But this was more than that. There was a certain devilish lady who caused me to take my mind somewhere else. Her name was Helena. She hit Florida as a category 4 hurricane. But the track, wind, and rainfall that followed her, devastated people and places throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and other places. Interstates have washed away. Dams have broken. Houses and businesses have floated away. People are stranded. Tens of thousands will be left hungry, homeless, and hurting. Many of these are hunters and fishers like you and me. The dreams of big bucks and big bass have been replaced by despair and desperation. My heart sinks for them. If you are a hunter or fishermen and have not been affected by Helena, let me ask you to do a few things. First, make these people a matter of ongoing prayer. Ask God to give them peace and patience as He works through the lives of others to bring them back to their feet. Second, find a local charity or disaster relief agency and send them a sacrificial monetary gift as they work in these hurting areas. And lastly, make this – your hunting season- for them. Maybe hashtag your social media posts with #HelenaHurtingHunters or something that will remind you and them, that while we may be physically in the woods, are hearts, minds, and prayers are with our hurting hunters whose mornings will be hunting for pieces of lives lost. Thank you.
To those who are suffering; as I climb into that stand this week, I will do so with a heavy heart for you. And I will pray that God will bring multiplied blessings according to your multiplied losses.
Gary Miller
gary@outdoortruths.org
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Stay updated on Outdoor Truths each week by subscribing at Outdoortruths.org