I want to start this out by saying for nearly 7 years of my life I've refused to let God in to my life in any way. I would catch myself asking for help from him and quiet it down because I didn't want to believe. It's hard to explain why it's just how it went.
Yesterday during an afternoon hunt I was about ready to call it well before the sun started setting when I found myself in an argument with, well, myself. It was a struggle to do it but I prayed. I prayed for forgiveness for the years I've spent denying any acknowledgement to God. I prayed to God asking him to make this hunt memorable and then I once again prayed for forgiveness for being selfish, asking of God when I've done nothing to prove I deserve anything from him.
I sat there reflecting on the choices I've made and after remembering my promise to God that I would be sure to share with everyone I can that I asked him to make this hunt one I would never forget I heard a rustle in the brush to the right of my stand. I dismissed it at first as a squirrel and went back to staring off in the distance where, to my awe, I saw the squirrel that had been pestering me since opening day at 7 am. My heart started to pound; I couldn't bring myself to believe it was a deer just yet so I turned my head slowly back to the noisy brush. Materializing from the grass came a head. A beautiful doe, it was young by the looks of it but no fawn spots so I was thinking of taking a shot. I decided against it and just sat and observed as another doe (or button buck; I couldn't tell) came out with her. Siblings, I assumed, and they were here to answer my prayers. I sat and watched as the fed below me on the corn I laid out the previous day (yes I bait, there's no signs of natural food where some one else hasn't already set up on the private land. Corn is what they eat there since I hunt on a farm.) I let them sit for about 45 minutes when a car hammered on its horn a distance away and they spooked.
With a sigh I thought my hunt would be over but decide to sit and reflect until the sun went down on what just happened. Another 30 minutes passed by and sure enough they came back. I decided that since I have two tags and they weren't newborns that I could take them and not feel remorse. That's when "Buck Fever" set in. I was standing and waiting for the right time to take a shot when one of the siblings meandered away from my shooting lane leaving it's sister head down in the grass. She finally turned broadside and I steadied myself. I locked my eyes behind her shoulder and started to draw. As soon as I felt my fingers reach anchor I loosed the arrow and watched it fly, inches over her back. Dang, I knew what I had done wrong immediately. Buck Fever got the best of me and I didn't align my shoulders the way I usually did when practicing from my stand. She jumped away after the arrow sunk in to the dirt behind her, out of view for a split second so I knew if it had been a few inches lower I'd have made a hit. After she calmed down a bit she came to investigate what had spooked her. She sniffed my arrow a bit and I thought I was going to be busted, my scent is on that arrow whether I like it or not and she isn't going to like it. I was right, she didn't, so she walked a few yards over and started feeding in my second shooting lane.
'No way', I thought, 'I'm going to have a second shot?'
Too lucky, but apparently I hadn't learned from my mistake. I quietly nocked another arrow and got set up to wait for her to turn broadside again. It took about 20 minutes for her to get comfortable and we had a few staredowns in the mean time. She finally turned and I took the opportunity. It's a more difficult shot the way I was facing and the light was starting to fail. I still had my eyes locked right where I wanted the arrow to go. I aligned my shoulders properly and began to draw. Anchor, and then all of a sudden I lost focus and instead of seeing the spot I saw all the spots I didn't want to hit for a split second, arrow flew. I wasn't sure if I had hit because she walked away sort of confused.
She decided it best to poo as she left and I sighed because I know it's bad if deer relieve themselves right where they eat. But then I thought maybe I slammed her gut and that caused her to go. It wouldn't have been a clean kill to say the least but I was determined to follow up as soon as I could. I waited while she stood in some brush with her tail to me. I had no idea what she was doing. She walked off again behind a tree out of sight and I sat down waiting for more movement. She walked once again in to the field about 50-60 yards off and laid down, 'Did this really happen?'
Her sibling showed up and they both made a break for it. I doubted myself once again and waited to make sure they were gone.
climbing down from my stand I looked for my second arrow and couldn't find it. I called my brother to come down and help me look for it in case I did hit her. Not 10 minutes after he's helping me look did I find the arrow, clean as a whistle, behind the tree that would have blocked my shot. I was confused as to how it got there especially when I wasn't aiming, or so I thought, that far to the left.
We packed up and headed out but I wasn't as disappointed as I had initially thought I would be if I missed. It was exactly what I asked God for, an unforgettable hunt. And I'm filling my promise here by letting all know that I spoke with God and my prayers, as best I can describe it, were answered.
My missing was all on me. I wasn't prepared for the adrenaline, I don't think any one is, for my first shots at a deer. I came out of that hunt learning a lesson, the shot comes when the mind is calm. Next time I won't miss. And next time, I'll be praying just to pray and thanking God for my ability to be out there.
Life on this Earth is very short. We are nothing without God. Eternity is forever and can be forever in peace with God if we just believe. Welcome David.
with tears in my eyes i will say welcome to the light.
You can now begin living the rest of your life.
i have had many moments were God just does something right in front of me to prove himself, when he really doesnt have to! we are all blessed to have a chance to know HIM!
Way to go David, congratulations.
Gilbert
Awsome David!
Incredible! God is awesome and thankfully He loves us no matter our poor choices...Indeed, your prayers were answered and thank you for doing your part and sharing with us. God bless you and yours always.
Congragulations David!
AMEN, he sends us signs everyday and all that we need to do is look for them..... :pray:
God Bless, Pierre
You can now have a peace and enjoy life more than you ever thought possible.Congratulations on the most important decision you have made in your time on this earth.
Congrats Brother! I'll say a prayer for you
Welcome to the family of God. I was thrilled with the testimony about how you and God had your conversation. That is what He wants. A relationship. Keep right on talking to him and he will direct your paths.
God bless you , Steve
Very "moving" post........I got goose bumps while reading it. I try to be VERY thank-ful for EVERYTHING that I have been blessed with and there is a little saying that keeps me conscious of that. It goes something like this....."What if we woke up tomorrow, with only what we thanked God for today? "
I have MUCH to be thank-ful for, and need to remember that.
Winterhawk1960
I am continually amazed at how He(God) can love someone like me but the fact is He does and He loves you too and was also loving you when you weren't talking to Him.
Something makes me think that He's been talking to you all along but it was just now that you could or would hear him.
I am so pleased that you did. You are my brother and I look forward to spending eternity with you.
God bless,Mudd
PS: Thank you for your testimony!
Amen brother...just amen.
Awesome post.
Very nice David. Like I said in my PM to you, "just try to learn from every miss". Sounds like you did just that!
You day will come, I'm confident of it. When it does, it will be a day you will never forget!
Allen
While I have never met you I can now call you brother. Praise God!
Congratulations and welcome to the family! Like Mudd said i cant wait to spend eternity with you brother. Its funny how even when we feel like we are the farthest from him, hes always there!
Oh, and about the deer, shake it off kid, theyl be right back ;)
Congratulations,God is good,all the time. :clapper:
That is a fantastic testimonial!!! God Bles you brother.
Just remember God is the one who seeks us out.Live every day for Him.Your closet times are the best times and He gave you one in the outdoors.
David,
You have just made the most important decision you will ever make and all others need to be measured against it. Our Creator loves us beyond what we can comprehend in this life. He searches for hearts that will embrace what He has done for us through His Son Jesus. Iam most greatful for your post and all the others who have responded to it. As much as we all enjoy archery your post puts all others in their proper perspective this day. Welcome home.
Wow! Praise our great God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clapper:
It is impossible for me to go into the woods and not be impressed by all He has created. That was a GOOD sit for you :thumbsup:
Godslove is amazing! Romans 5:6 says-You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. He loves us no matter how bad we mess up. Congatulations brother, Isnt it awsome when God shows up.
God Bless
Buck
I have had some awesome talks with GOD in HIS natural santuary i.e. the woods. I had a tear reading this cause it reminded me of myself. Way to go brother.
Amen, thanks for sharing. The hunting part was nice too! God is a great God!!
Awesome bro
Welcome to the Family Brother and thanks for the testimony...We will meet one day and like Doc Noc always say's "Keep the Son In Your Eye's"...God Bless and that was the most important decision you ever made in your life here on earth...Now when satan knocks at your door just ask Jesus to answer it for ya! God Bless and Angels are rejoicing in Heaven when just one sinner repents! Your Brother in Christ Jesus, Keefer's <><
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
It is impossible for me to go into the woods and not be impressed by all He has created. That was a GOOD sit for you :thumbsup: [/QUOT
I feel exactly the same way! Gods beauty is all around us everyday, at times we just fail to recognize it!
PM sent.
I read your post and smiled. Seems that happens to us all in many ways, over and over in life.
I'm more of the mindset of some posting earlier that this is one of those things where God's presence is around us, showing us, inviting us ALL THE TIME, but we just are so preoccupied and other-focused, we dont' see.
When YOU choose (and it's always a 'choice') to stop, look and listen, you saw what was already always there... God as an infinite being part of all things at all times!
Even older believers tend to forget and become too busy.
Thanks for slowing my own clock and reminding me...
Keep the Son in your eyes (and heart and ears)
that was great, thanks for sharing! GOD bless!
Prayer, and God will answer! Not on our time but his and God's timing is perfect.
Welcome home brother and God bless.
Welcome home Brother, Great testimony and good job keeping your end of the deal. I don't believ in chance happenings, I do believe in devine appointments, and my friend you have just had one for sure. All to often we blow right past them and miss the blesing. Happy for you!
Very good brother! One of the reasons I love to go to the woods is that it seems to me that it is temptation free. The enemy (satan)doesn't seem to have influence or power in the natural world. It's like God created the outdoors and encourages us to go there to give us a break from the influence of the enemy. In my last conversation with God outdoors I was asking Him why He had to make poison ivy, poison oak and mosquitos. I'm sure I'll know in time.
God Bless!!
Great testimony. I too have spent many hours alone in the woods discussing my future with HIM. Congratulation a great sit. Your deer will come.
Thanks for sharing your conversion story. Took me awhile too. Rocked & Locked now.
David,
Sounds like your night was much better than bagging a deer.
Prayers are with you to continue growing closer to HIM.
He who has begun a good work in you will see it through to the end.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing brother.
What a glorious testimony David! We all have fallen short of the Glory of God...yet He forgives and loves us. I think that is the stumbling block for many. We see things through our own human eyes instead of with His Holy vision. But now you have Him with you each day, interceding for you, developing a great relationship with Him, never leaving or forsaking you, being forgiven when we stumble or like some have said "when we miss the mark".
Thanks for those words David.
David
Thank you for sharing this experience. Many people worship Gods creation without excepting God.He loves us & waits for us.Maybe your testimony will help someone else reach out to Him!
QuoteOriginally posted by bro-n-arrow:
Thank you for sharing this experience. Many people worship Gods creation without excepting God.He loves us & waits for us.Maybe your testimony will help someone else reach out to Him!
X2 OUTSTANDING
Two weeks ago I was in the Rockies on my first elk hunt, and in that vast nothingness, you can always find God.
A wise man once told me that "God never gives up on us and there is nothing we can do to make him not love us.!" What a comforting thought!
I've told my pastor and others that, "I feel closer to God in a deer stand than at any other time in my life", so many times that I know they are tired of hearing it. They think its just an excuse for my missing church from Oct. thru December each year. Not every Sunday of course, but at least some. Truth is God is by my side every where I go just as he was with you on your memorable hunt. God Bless you and yours for your decision to bring God back into your life.
David thanks for the post, I needed it.
David,
It took me years to accept God. Life is so much better now. I always have a friend to talk to. Thanks for your testimony.
This entire thread is pretty darn great. Good for one good for all :pray:
Peace Be With You....
Praise the Lord David for your salvation and his wonderful creation. I pm'ed you.
All things are possible with GOD,Congratulations!
God is truly great! Welcome home.
God is good and God is great! Thanks bro', I know the feeling too!
Kenny :pray:
Thank you all for your kind words.
God bless,
Dave
Amen!!! :thumbsup:
Congratulations Dave! As we say in our church, Welcome Home. Gods eternal power and divine nature can be clearly seen in his creation so that men are without excuse.(Rom 1:20) That is why we feel close to him when we are out in the woods
Welcome, and thank you for your thoughts.
Thanks for sharing.
I think there are alot of us out there who can change a few words but tell the SAME story.
I hope winter is late coming and early leaving for you...and I hope you get a deer.
Say hi to the U.P. for me.