Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. ~Genesis 27:2-4
CONFESSION FROM A DEER HUNT – 11/3/2013
November has taken on a whole different meaning for me the last three years. I grew up hunting, but it was always small game. Dad took me deer hunting one time when I was 13. We woke up waaay too early, froze nearly half to death and never saw a deer, so I told my dad that I was just fine hunting the squirrels and rabbits we usually hunted together.
Fast forward 25 years to one of my best friends inviting me to go hunt deer on my birthday with him. I am now hooked. I love the outdoors and spending time with my son in deer blinds. This weekend was once again opening weekend. I decided that I needed some alone time with God. I had my alarm set for 4:30am , but woke up at 3:00am ready to go. I felt God saying, “c’mon, up and at ‘em, I am ready to spend some time with you.” I got ready and headed off to Dickens.
I drove in, got everything ready at the blind, then started walking to the feeder to put out a little extra corn. Not sure if any of you were out at 4:30 Saturday morning, but it was pitch black. No moon, no light sources anywhere for miles where I was and the sky was brilliant with stars. The feeder was only 100 yds or so away from the blind, a walk I have made many times, but after a couple of minutes it became obvious to me that I must have walked right past it. I began to backtrack to where I thought it should be to no avail. I had become disoriented in the darkness and unsure which direction I was even facing. This is something that just doesn’t usually happen to me.
I walked around for probably 25 minutes trying to find my way with my head-mounted LED light. I even took my key fob out of my pocket and began pushing the lock button every ten feet or so hoping to hear my pickup. I was lost, plain and simple. This realization was only a little discouraging to me as I knew I could just stay where I was until the sun came up and know instantly where I was, but would obviously have ruined a good hunt.
Then I realized that what I had hoped would be some alone time with God had become just about me and my desire to hunt deer. Then I began to pray. I prayed for God to forgive me of my selfishness (again). I prayed for my beautiful family. I prayed for many extended family members and friends. I then prayed for God to help me find my way back to the blind. I was still hitting the key fob every ten feet. God told me to put it in my pocket, so I did. I still had my LED trying to light my way. God told me to turn it off. I argued that one for a minute (it was PITCH black remember…) I very clearly heard again to turn it off and trust Him. This time I obeyed. After a couple of minutes of me staring in wonder at the stars, I began walking again. Within ten feet I found the rd I was looking for, within another ten feet I was standing at the feeder. I put out my extra corn and went and sat back in the blind in tears. When I finally trusted God instead of trying to do it all on my own, He led me right where I wanted to be to begin with.
Sorry for the long story, but I truly feel that God wanted me to share this. My prayer for all of you is to have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your families!
Love and blessings,
Chad Oglesby
