The Paradigm Shift

Rifle season ended on Saturday. I was hoping that each of the kids would each get a deer and of course I would get that monster buck that's been alluding me for the last twenty or thirty years. I know what you're thinking. "Hey stupid, deer don't typically live more than a couple years." Well let me tell you, that may be true, but I know for a fact that dreams can live on for a lifetime.

We ended up our rifle season with Caleb getting a buck and Blake getting a doe, and Aiyana and I getting some suggestions from Jenelle about maybe spending a little more time at the range. We'll just leave it at that. We're happy with what we  put in the freezer, but I’m sure the meat will be gone before another year goes around. For the sake of comparison, it takes at least seven or eight of our little mountain deer to equal a beef. I'm sure that we couldn't eat a whole beef every year but with three growing kids, we could definitely put a dent in one. I was really hoping to get one or two more deer in the freezer but we'll be fine. Of course I still have a month and a half to get one with the bow so no worries, mate. It might be tough for some people to get a deer in January with a bow, but not for me. Just kidding! I really know that there's a good chance that we have all the deer that we're going to get for the year.

 The honest truth and my point here is to say that we didn't get what I had hoped for.

For those of you that pay attention to the church calendar, yesterday was the advent of joy. You can ask almost anyone out there, what is it that brings them joy and the answer will be something that has to do with getting something that they want. It's been drilled into all of us, especially in America and especially around the Christmas season, that the stuff we want is what brings us joy. Whether that stuff is wealth, health, friends or more stuff, or a big buck, you would probably agree with me, that when we get those things, we're happy, often times beaming from ear to ear. At least for a little while!

Often we don't get exactly what we were hoping for and that can bring on the depression or just plain old bummed-outedness.

If you find yourself slipping into this mode from time to time, like myself, and probably everyone out there does. Or maybe you have everything that you could ever want and you've just discovered that that doesn't cut it either.

Either way, let me suggest that it's time for a paradigm shift. I really think that joy comes from having a place at the table and being taken care of! And so maybe we should put more focus on that.

During the Christmas season my family gets together almost every Sunday night. Now let me say right up front, this isn't the source of joy that I'm talking about. Of course I do enjoy the fat-food and all the goodies everyone brings, but where I'm going with has nothing to do with food. You see, I can come to the table, and it doesn't matter if I was a complete failure or if I had the bull by the horns, or whatever I'm going through, I know that I'm welcome. And even when I don’t have a dish to share, I know that I’m still welcome. And that brings me joy! My father finds joy in seeing me trying and doing things, hunting and fishing, and even if I fail, my father wants to hear about it. So he loves seeing me and the rest of the family. And he loves it when I bring my friends with me. And on top of all of that, he's going to take care of me no matter what, even when I get greedy or make stupid mistakes.

Of course my theory breaks down about here, because every family and relationship has its own squabbles and fights, and my dad is more of a "you reap what you sow" kinda guy than an “I’ll bail you out” person. So let's dig a little deeper.

My earthly family is just a flawed glimpse of what its going to really be like one day. If you have a Christian world view like I do, then you believe that one day there will be some bigger feasting than a Christmas dinner, and it won't be here on earth. And if you've been lucky like me and caught just a glimpse of how it might be, then you know that belonging is what really brings real joy. I believe there’s a lot more to Christmas than giving and getting. Christ came to bring us the invitation to the feast and to walk with us until we get there. And he wants us to share it with others. And when we accept the invitation, that’s when we know we belong. And belonging and knowing that the Father is taking care of us, now that’s where true joy comes from. I’m looking forward to the feast.

In the meantime, I’m going to be down here trying to enjoy the little things when I can. Right now, my fingers are freezing as I’m out here writing my blog on my phone. I’m sitting by this trail with my bow, hoping for that big buck. It’s about thirty degrees and I haven’t seen a thing other than a downy woodpecker and a crow. I really need to get back home and get to work. But in it all, somehow I’ve found joy.

Oh, and by the way, you’re invited!