Join the Club

 

After watching him for decades as he consistently enjoys his own recreation (while "providing meat for the family"), I am finally wising up.

He is a hunter. In every season, he anticipates his next excursion and prepares. He chats and strategizes. He gears up and heads out. He can be gone for the day or the weekend.

Sometimes he returns with nothing outward to show for his absence. Other times he comes in with harvest tales, renewed wholeness, and the promise of a hundred and fifty pounds of frozen [expensive] meat to arrive neatly packaged and labeled with his initials.

Wisdom ... choosing rhythms of re-creation ... a change of pace and scenery in which to find provision, fresh perspective and rest. 

And so. 

I hunt dove … true story …

and grass-fed cattle.

Figurative peace and actual beef. Of course I never have to fire a shot. The whole operation is clean, understated, and wonderfully time consuming.

I intentionally set aside a day or a weekend and I quietly anticipate the goodness until I boldly depart. 

My favorite hunting spots:

A conference. Any conference. I love a good framework of well-organized, informative sessions where everyone sits in climate-controlled comfort doing more listening than talking. I love it.

A concert. Assigned seats in a darkened room where it's too loud for small talk. Deal.

A casual stroll. Where gentle movement is the destination and the revelation runs wild.

A cottage. Clean and cozy space where there are no responsibilities and ample freedom to gather and share my thoughts.

A car. I love a good road-trip. Cue the audio books, shuffle through new music, or just ride in silence letting the road noise drown out any anxious thoughts so the dreams pipe through the daytime loud and clear.

A cause. If I am thriving in my real life, then I prefer to vacate with a purpose. I volunteer. I'm addicted. Homeschool conventions, women's conferences, advocating for orphans at concerts … I love how helpful teamwork behind the scenes improves everyone's experience. It's also interesting that sacrifice grants access before the crowds and beyond the curtains.

My favorite supplies:

Fancy snacks. The kind I would never buy as part of a click list or on a normal Tuesday.

Fuss-free clothing. Comfort and monochromatic dependability are key.

Fine point pens and a college ruled spiral. At all times. Lists or lyrics, sketches or scripture doodles … the possibilities are endless and the end result is scribbled joy. Flip the page: another marvelous fresh start promising even more joy.

I love the pursuit of peace … my version of a dove hunt. And I love the flexibility of hunting grass-fed beef … hunt year round, anywhere you like (I'm looking at you, sandy beach), and rock the solo trip, bring a buddy, or pack the full band.

I typically return with nothing outward to show for my unusual exodus, but I have tales of beauty and renewed wholeness … and the eventual bounty of a [comparably priced] side of beef neatly packaged and ready for my sharpied initials. 

All the love,

cdj

PS. As much as I've been hunting over the past few years, there has always been plenty of venison in our freezer, so I've not yet had to place an order with the ranch. We've got a good thing going.

Blessings for Mom

A Mother's Day Meditation on Jeremiah 17

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.

Happy is the woman...
... who denies herself to find joy.
... who relies upon her Heavenly Father for peace and comfort.
... who depends upon the truth of her adoption in Christ for her validation.
... who treasures her weaknesses - knowing God will accomplish His goals in His strength.

He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream ...

Her life is supple and secure,
resiliently grounded,
sensitive, sweet and strong,
refreshingly pleasant.

She'll continue to abide and seek sustenance from the One True Source of Life.

... and does not fear when heat comes ...

Even when the trials come, she doesn't worry.
When pain lingers,
and problems persist,
she is not ruined - she finds courage and hope.

...  for its leaves remain green,

For His Life flows through her.
She abides in Him. And He abides in Her.
His Word dwells richly within her and she keeps in step with His Spirit.

... and is not anxious in the year of drought,

So she has nothing to fear. No worries.
She puts no faith in circumstances.
She is patient and does not grow weary.

... for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

With passionate purpose, she'll give everything she has
to this beautifully sacrificial life that will render her
fertile, flourishing and fruitful.