If I just would have waited..

When Sam and I were dating I learned very quickly that if I wanted to see him I would need to join him hunting. He gave me only a few dates to choose from for our wedding date because hunting and fishing. Hey, I knew what I was getting into before I said, "I do." so I have no room to complain. (but I have of course)

So for several years I would take the second week of deer season off of work to spend time with the husband in the woods. We would hunt DAILY until he was happy with our deer quota however there were years we got ZERO. The first day/week of deer season was for camp with the guys so it was not worthy of my attendance.

Honestly, I have been trying to figure out at what point I stopped going. I have not been hunting for a few years now. All I can come up with is busyness with work and just not wanting to be with him. I think I can admit that my pride has been in the way. So this year I made it a point to be more intentional with choosing to spend time together. Now that I am not working a 9-5 it is much easier to just pick up and go.

Sam was super excited planning our day of hunting. Please celebrate with me that I am now worthy of the first day of rifle season. FIRST DAY! If you know you know. This is a big deal. He was planning taking me out the first day and seeing the excitement in his eyes I was not about to make up any excuse not to go. Honestly I do enjoy hunting there is something special about being still out in nature. It's a beautiful time to just talk to the Lord and worship. I do not, however, enjoy being cold or walking long distances especially up hill because I wear a lot of layers and look and feel like a marshmallow. Just picture the kid from Christmas Story falling over and not being able to get up. Yup, that's me. Big fat marshmallow.

Ok, so it's the first day. We get up stupid early and I put on all my layers. He always has to help me tie my boots because well bending over is hard with all these layers. It is quite the quest getting dressed for hunting. We walk to the blind we are about to stay in and I will skip over the part of me being out of shape and upset with myself and determined to change that in 2024. There we are sitting in the dark before the sun rises. It truly is so peaceful and fun to watch the sun come up. We see a few doe down below I don't know maybe around 7:00 or 8:00. Nothing I could shoot at. Then a few came out beside us and I did get a doe in my scope however we were waiting for Mr Buck so I let her go. It might be around 9:00 or a little after at this point and I say to you I only drank a half a cup of coffee before we left and I peed twice. If this is too much information this blog is not for you. I am not for you.

I kindly say move along because there is more. Insert big grinning face.

Ok well I turned 40 this year and apparently your body is over all those years you made it a competition to see how long you could hold your blatter. My body is like joke is on you now when you have to go you just have to go or start wearing diapers or a permanent pad or something. Ugh! Well, I held it as long as I could to the point everything was squeezed and my leg was now shaking. We determined no time was a good time to take a break especially with me being a woman and having to take off layers to squat. So, we decided to just take a break. I spotted a great big tree to squat against so I take my jacket off in the blind, step outside of the blind, and start to unzip my bibs. My bibs were half way around my waste when my husband yells, "Deer!" Then he has the audacity to yell, "Buck!" I quickly kneel down and he hands me my gun.

This is dedication right here. This is an example of 21 years of marriage being in complete communication, unity, and determination together. I mean come on somebody. Is it like this everyday? Nope. However I will cherish these moments together.

So do you have this pictured in your mind yet? I am on one knee like I am about to propose to the stupid deer with my bibs around my waste. I still had my jeans on thank goodness so my butt wasn't hanging out so get that out of your mind.

How invested are you in this story right now? Are you ready to hear the rest?

Nothing exciting.

I never even saw the dang buck because it ran. Apparently the answer to my proposal was No.

I was so bummed. If I would have waited like 5 more minutes. My husband was so gentle about it though. It meant a lot that he wasn't a complete jerk. I was so upset with myself but he was like it's ok it happens we will get the next one.

Isn't that just like God? We as humans can be so impatient sometimes. We don't enjoy the season of waiting. Sometimes we step out and miss it but there is God in his grace and mercy saying, "It's ok. Just repent and turn back to me. I still love you. You are still my greatest creation and I believe in you. My grace is sufficient."

Grace truly is a gift.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12: 9 ESV