Giving Thanks To God
When I started teaching in the Copper River School District, the hunting season for Dall sheep and caribou was August 10th to September 20th. The hunting season for moose was September 1-20. With school starting the middle of August, this meant I had 5 or 6 days to hunt sheep and then 5 more weekends to hunt caribou and moose.
The year before, Laura had reserved the church for August 15th for our wedding. When I told her that I would be sheep hunting that day, she rebooked the church for September 5th. Once again I had to say no. I told Laura that I would be hunting moose, and why would we want the stress every year of me missing our anniversary? I told her that we could get married any time before August 10th or after September 20th. This may seem selfish, but I was honestly thinking of her. I love celebrating with Laura. With such a short window to provide our year's meat, it simply seemed unwise to put a wedding in the middle of that.
You see, I grew up in a subsistence family. The primary protein in our diet came from deer, fish, grouse, pheasant and duck. I have always considered putting meat on the table as a 'gift' and one of my God-given roles as provider. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and satisfaction when God allows me, even in part, to 'live off the land.' Several of the disciples were fishermen, and the Lord said of a man named Nimrod that "He was a mighty hunter before the Lord."
Wherever you live, learn the joy of subsistence. Cut your own firewood- even if it's just for a campfire in the back yard. Gather berries in the fall. Plant a small garden. Learn to hunt or fish. Colossians 3:17- "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Be blessed! -Pastor Brad
Written on March 10, 2026
Posted in Daily Devotions