The Serenity Prayer

This is the 2nd official post to the blog. Like I said before, I don't know how often I'll write, but I do hope that you'll offer up your thoughts as you see fit. I hope you enjoy, Bo.

January 3, 2011

Welcome to the New Year, folks! It’s going to be a great one. I really believe that and told myself that on my way in to work this morning. You know, that drive in, if it is of decent length, can be a good time to reflect and pray. It is something that I’ve gotten away from in recent months, but I resolve to get back to it this year. I feel like my relationship with God has gotten a little distant lately… I mean, I know that he is still there for me, but I’m not sure that I can say the same. My mind hasn’t been where it should be lately. One of my resolutions for 2011 is to make God #1 again. I mean, he really always has been, but I know that I can do better this year. I think maybe that I’ve been taking for granted all of my blessings. This year, things will surely change. I WILL SURELY CHANGE!

Like I said a moment ago, I told myself this morning that 2011 would be a great year. I really believe that, in spite of having a less than fantastic day at work today. My lovely wife is such a positive influence on me. She reminds me that there are some things that are just flat out of my control. The only person that I can control is me. It doesn’t make it less frustrating, but it does remind me of a prayer I once learned. I’m sure that you’ve heard it yourself, although you may not have know what it was called. It is a prayer that is very dear to me, and has often times been my go-to prayer during times of stress. It is called, “The Serenity Prayer”.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

What a great prayer that is! Don’t you agree? I mean, there really isn’t too much reason for us to get all worked up over things that we have no control over, is there? Sometimes, I forget that. This prayer helps me remember. When in doubt, pray it out!

Like I said in my first post, I don’t intend to be evangelical. I’m not a preacher. But, let’s not for one second forget who got us here. God. Wow. He’s the answer. Don’t you forget it either.

That’s one of the things that I love so much about hunting. Outside of church, there really isn’t any better way for me to get in touch with The Man. To be honest, sometimes hunting is even better than going to church. I’m not saying that I should choose hunting over the house of the Lord, I’m just saying that it is another way for me to get connected. Many, many times, I’ve found myself able to reach out to the Lord during the early dawn hours.

Have you ever seen a raccoon wake up in the morning? I have. It is an amazing thing to watch. All of a sudden, your eye is drawn to movement on a nearby limb. What is it? Well, it’s a sleepy eyed raccoon waking up from a doze. For some reason, it always reminds me of a human. Almost without fail, the first thing that raccoon will do is stretch his limbs. Then, if he hasn’t done so already, he’ll yawn. He’ll then likely lick his chops and look around a bit as if trying to decide what he should do first. It is quite the sight! I’ve seen as many as a half dozen in the same tree do this sort of thing. I don’t particularly like raccoons, but I’m always thankful that I am able to bare witness to such sights. It’s a reminder that I’m lucky to be able to do what I love. I thank God for that.

At this point, I haven’t actually created this blog yet. It is still a work in progress. If and when I do, I’ll keep these posts in the order in which I wrote them. I’d gladly write a “mission” statement for the blog… if I had one. At this time, however, I don’t. I just intend to write whatever I feel like writing. If you enjoy reading my ramblings, or even if you don’t, for that matter, I’d love to hear about it. I promise to try to take any criticism in a positive manner and I’ll do my best not to let my feelings get hurt.

As I mentioned a few days ago, bow hunting is something that I truly love, but it isn’t all that I love. In the recent past, I’ve let it take precedence over many things that should be more important to me. I’m not going to do that again. For example, my wife recently disclosed to me that she has felt neglected by me because of hunting. That is so terrible of me. I made promises and vows to love and cherish her. If she feels that way, I’m not holding up my end of the bargain. On the flip side of things, I do wish that she would better understand me and my need to hunt. I think that if we work together, as husband and wife should, we will figure this out and both be much happier. I know that I have a lot to work on to fulfill my part in this matter though. For example, I don’t need to obsess over it quite as much as I typically do. Don’t get me wrong, it is certainly something that I am passionate about, but I know that I need to be more passionate about our loving Father and my loving family. Those are things that truly matter, and in the grand scheme, hunting doesn’t. These words are coming from a hard core bow hunter. I left my home and everything I know to pursue my passion. I intend to pursue it, but I must and do acknowledge what is most important in this life. God and family are two things that you can always count on. Let’s not for a second forget about that.

Hunting is a past-time, a hobby, a passion. God, family, and love are what really matters in life. Please don’t forget that. I pray that I will always remember that. Christ our Lord, and our families and loved ones are what matter most.

It’s funny, when I started typing this post, I had no idea which direction it would head. I started off writing it about a poor day that I’d had at work and I ended it by writing about raccoons, God, and family. At some point, I’m sure that I’ll actually write a story about hunting, but for right now, this is what is on my mind. Again, I welcome your comments. Whether you are a hunter or not, I hope that your aim is true in all of the shots that you take.

God Bless, and remember to…

Accept the things that you cannot change,
Have courage to change the things that you can,
And be wise enough to know the difference!

God Bless,

Bo