I am one of the worst when it comes to bringing all the stuff I need when I go hunting. For example, several times I have worn my bedroom slippers instead of my boots. So, one morning I went turkey hunting in my bedroom slippers. I didn’t even notice until I was halfway to where I intended to hunt. I didn’t have time to go back and change and just forged ahead in my slippers in the dark, hoping I didn’t step on a snake on my way there.
I was sitting on the ground located in the middle of some bushes and right at daylight I heard a turkey gobble about 25 yards away in a tall pine tree behind me. I softly purred my response but there was no answer.
Hmmm . . . I waited and waited and tried a few more soft calls, but still heard no response. I know that old turkey didn’t see or hear me because I went in before daylight and didn’t make a sound when I quietly slipped into my place I decided to try to call again, but again I heard no response.
I slowly turned my head and my heart leapt I saw a very large black bear lumbering down the logging road heading right towards where I was sitting. Apparently he had been gorging half the night in a large field of corn I’d planted right next to my hunting location. I thought, well that explained why I didn’t see the turkey. This is not good. I gripped my shotgun and got ready for battle. I had decided I would try to shoot him in the head if he attacked.
I readied my gun, but I didn’t see the bear. I waited until I couldn’t wait any longer and I finally slowly turned around to look again and the bear was gone. I guess he smelled or saw me move. Whew! I decided the best move I could make at this juncture was to get the heck out of there. I headed back to my truck in my slippers. When I got there I was going to unload my gun, but when I checked I didn’t have a shell in the gun. In fact, it was empty. I checked my pockets, and I didn’t have a single shell with me there or in my truck. Not only did I fail to load my gun, but I also hadn’t even brought even a single shotgun shell.
My good friend T.K. Wetherell got a good laugh when I told him about my adventure. He has gone on to heaven but when I get there I look forward to telling and retelling this story and hearing him belly laugh at each retelling. I woke up this morning thinking about T.K. and thinking about heaven and Jesus. I believe Jesus will laugh with us too.
Yes friends there is much evil in the world today, but there are also good times and funny times. We just need to enjoy what we can and laugh with our friends. As someone has wisely said we just need to Live, laugh, and love (often)…
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Rejoice always,