In my last blog post I shared of a hunting trip my son Eli and I were anxiously anticipating. That trip has since come and gone. We went on an adventure together from central Illinois to the mountains of CO. The journey took two long days of constant driving. I was pleasantly surprised that despite the countless hours in the car, Eli was content with filling his inquisitive mind with questions for dad. One after another came as he looked wide eyed out the window at all the new sights that whizzed by as we drove. I was prepared with the standby DVD player once he ran out of questions, but it never came. We had a blast chatting – great bonding time as father and son.
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| Crafts with Grandma White |
Once we arrived at our camp site, it was obvious that the conditions were not great for hunting elk. It was hot and constant winds of 40+ miles per hour whipped through the high mountain air. Bagging an elk was only a small part of the adventure however. We met up with my family from out west to spend a week together building memories that would long outlast meat in a freezer.
Eli’s great grandparents were already in camp and ready to give him a big hug when we arrived. My parents arrived right behind us followed by aunts and uncles who spoiled me as a kid when I was Eli’s age. This was more of a reunion than a hunting trip. Eli spent quality time playing games and making crafts with grandma in the trailer when the winds and dust kept them inside while I was out hunting. My granddad rigged a barrel and a saddle to make a horse for Eli to ride, just like the one my great grandfather made for me when I was his age. In fact, it was the same saddle. His creative mind was not content to ride a horse with no tail or “face” however, so grandma helped him to figure out a way to fix that. He spent time playing baseball with great grandma and riding the 6x6 with Papa. He loved all the attention he received while sis and little Abe were home with mommy.
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| Off-Roading with Papa |
I had adventure of my own this particular hunting trip as well. I stalked within 40 yards of a black bear playing with her two cubs (and then high-tailed it out of there), saw the largest mule deer buck of my life (and of course did not have tags to bag him), hiked through the mountains and watched coyotes and turkeys and of course squirrels galore. Being in the outdoors and taking in God’s creation has always been something that refreshed my soul. On the last evening of hunting I sat on a beautiful bluff with incredible views. As the sun set I had my only opportunity to take a bull elk. The high winds from below and the distance of the shot kept me from pulling the trigger. Instead I watched the majestic animal graze into the darkness of dusk.
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| Four Generations! |
The highlight of my trip however, came earlier in the week. I found a great canyon that Eli and I sat on together to watch for elk crossing on the other side. It served as the best illustration I have used to date to help explain the gospel to my son. We talked about what sin is and how it keeps people from being able to be in God’s holy presence. How nothing we can do (on our own) can get us to the other side of the “great divide.” We talked through how God made a way for us to get to the other side. And the only way to be forgiven of our sins and be made right with God was to believe in what Jesus did on our behalf. How his life, death and resurrection are the only way to God. Eli had a lot of deep questions and when I felt like he might grasp the idea of salvation, I asked him if he was ready to begin that relationship with God. His answer was a thoughtful, “Not yet.” I smiled and told him, “That’s fine buddy, you keep asking me questions. This is a big decision that is up to you. Don’t do it before you are ready.” We talked a while more and continued to “hunt” until the sun set behind us and it was time to head back to camp.
The week quickly slipped by and before we knew it we were making the trek home again. We both had a fantastic time but were ready to be reunited with the rest of our little family.
A month went by and life was in full swing again. As a pastor, Sunday mornings are typically busy for me. I often leave home before everyone in our family is awake and usually return sometime after lunch. On December 16, 2012 Eli decided to ride home with me instead of with mom like he typically does. As I asked him about what he learned that morning and it led us into a discussion about salvation. He let me know he was ready and wanted me to lead him in prayer. In the driveway of our home, my son prayed an authentic prayer to God that will forever be engraved in my mind and heart. The first thing he wanted to do after saying amen was to run to mom and let her know what he had just done. You could not wipe the smile off his face that day. We put the date in his new Bible and then called my parents to share the good news.
When they asked him to share his story, I was surprised at his response. I expected the, “Dad and I prayed in the car…” to be his lead in. But instead it began with, “When dad and I were on our hunting trip, we talked about God when we were out in the woods together…”
I was blown away. He had taken that conversation and was still meditating on its implications over a month later. Being intentional and making that investment of time had made an impact. My son placed is faith in Jesus. His new life had begun!
After six years living in CO I have had my fair share of success in hunting. You can find
antlers hanging up in my office at church, and there is usually elk or venison
in our freezer. Yet nothing compares to my last hunting trip in the Rockies.
Without a doubt, the year I passed up my only opportunity to bag a bull elk was
the most successful hunting trip of my life.
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Yesterday was Easter Sunday. We celebrated the truth that
Eli embraced in his own life. In my estimation, the greatest truth ever told. Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection has made a
way for ALL to be made right with our holy God and spend eternity in His
presence. We can be free from the power of evil and live life to the fullest
with Christ. Not simply after we die, but as soon as we place our faith in Him!
“This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to
understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can
reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase
freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the
right time.” (1 Timothy 2:3-6 NLT)
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My challenge to all of us,
specifically to us fathers, is to be intentional with our time with our kids.
When you are in the car, consider turning off the DVD player. Power down the
iPod and iPads in the back and talk about things that matter. Consider leveraging
vacation time as an opportunity for more than just “fun.” Use your time away as
an opportunity to go deep, to be real. Better yet, let’s put down our own iPhone
at home and engage our children in conversation as we play catch in the
backyard. Or when we go for a walk to the park after an evening meal together. Give your children an opportunity to wrestle over what they believe and help
guide them as they do. Create a safe environment where they know they can ask
questions. Talk with them.
May God guide us as we strive
to point our children to His grace and give them the freedom to fail, to doubt,
to question, and to make their faith their own. May God help us release them
into His care. After all, He always has and always will love them more deeply
than we do.
Praying with you,
Pastor Bill
PS - Click HERE for a few
helpful tips to be intentional with your kids. It is never too early or too
late to start!
