The Last Time
I used to fancy myself as a hunter of sorts. What I mean by that is, I would take my Daisy BB gun and go “pinging.” Pinging was shooting at tin cans, bottles, stop signs, and whatever else didn’t move.
My buddy and I eventually graduated to birds and any other animals that weren’t fast enough to hide from us, such as dogs, cats, and my neighbor’s hogs. There was always an occasional snake or two.
My uncle gifted me a .410-gauge shotgun and his single-shot .22-caliber rifle. I thought I was in the big time—the “Great White Hunter.”
I had a friend who invited me to go pheasant hunting. He had a beautiful hunting dog that would flush out any birds hiding in the bushes. It wasn’t long before the dog flushed a covey of birds out into the open. My buddy and I each took our shots, and we both scored.
As I walked ahead, I approached my prize lying in the weeds. As I picked the bird up, I was overwhelmed with a sense of remorse. I was holding in my hand the most beautiful bird I had ever seen. I asked myself, “Why did I do this?” I wasn’t going to take it home to eat, nor was I going to give it away. “WHY?”
It was then and there that I decided never to kill another animal. I have carried a sense of sadness with me ever since that day. I gave my guns away. I realized I had killed just for the sport of killing. That was the last time.
I continue to seek forgiveness from God for the stupid and senseless things I do. I am grateful that He reminds me each day that I am forgiven. I live to seek and share life with others, to enjoy God’s creation, and to humbly walk with Him. I am glad it’s never too late.
God calls you and me to walk in His footsteps. While we can never undo past decisions, God has a way of reminding us each day that all that we have belongs to Him. He has made us the caretakers of all that is life. As I see it, I am blessed each day with His presence, and so are you.
God Loves You Today.
Just a Thought, Not a Sermon.
My buddy and I eventually graduated to birds and any other animals that weren’t fast enough to hide from us, such as dogs, cats, and my neighbor’s hogs. There was always an occasional snake or two.
My uncle gifted me a .410-gauge shotgun and his single-shot .22-caliber rifle. I thought I was in the big time—the “Great White Hunter.”
I had a friend who invited me to go pheasant hunting. He had a beautiful hunting dog that would flush out any birds hiding in the bushes. It wasn’t long before the dog flushed a covey of birds out into the open. My buddy and I each took our shots, and we both scored.
As I walked ahead, I approached my prize lying in the weeds. As I picked the bird up, I was overwhelmed with a sense of remorse. I was holding in my hand the most beautiful bird I had ever seen. I asked myself, “Why did I do this?” I wasn’t going to take it home to eat, nor was I going to give it away. “WHY?”
It was then and there that I decided never to kill another animal. I have carried a sense of sadness with me ever since that day. I gave my guns away. I realized I had killed just for the sport of killing. That was the last time.
I continue to seek forgiveness from God for the stupid and senseless things I do. I am grateful that He reminds me each day that I am forgiven. I live to seek and share life with others, to enjoy God’s creation, and to humbly walk with Him. I am glad it’s never too late.
God calls you and me to walk in His footsteps. While we can never undo past decisions, God has a way of reminding us each day that all that we have belongs to Him. He has made us the caretakers of all that is life. As I see it, I am blessed each day with His presence, and so are you.
God Loves You Today.
Just a Thought, Not a Sermon.
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