Carry Me

Heart Shots "Outfitting the Heart of the Hunter"

My wife and I have three kids…Avery, Aidan, and Easton.  All three were born on very important days.  Avery/August 15 – opening day of MT Antelope season.  Aidan/October 26 and Easton/October 28 – opening weekend of Montana’s general hunting season.  Yes, up to this point there has been some poor planning on my part! 

On Aidan’s 3rd birthday I decided it was time to begin a new tradition…birthday hunts with dad!  He was thrilled!  The first year was nothing more than a drive up in the mountains, eating snacks, and playing with the binoculars. However the next year I decided we’d hit the trail.  Obviously these hunts aren’t designed to actually be a serious attempt at killing anything.  But rather a serious attempt at making a young boy think he was on a great hunting adventure with his dad.  We ate lots of snacks, watched for bears, tried to find monsters with our binoculars, and all the other typical stuff that goes on during a hunt. 

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Further than I expected down the trail, I heard the common command, “Carry me” from Aidan.  Aidan’s little legs had finally had enough walking and he was ready for a ride.  From previous adventures in the woods, I’ve learned to be ready to pack the little guys around in the woods when they need a break.  I stuffed Aidan in my pack and away we went.  I was tired, sweating, and stumbling my way down a rocky ridge when Aidan leaned over my shoulder and said, “We’re having fun, right dad?”

Aidan was oblivious to the fact that he was being carried through some rough country.  He was simply chillin’ in the backpack, enjoying the ride.  He had all the confidence in the world that his daddy wouldn’t let him fall and would safely carry him home.  

I thank God that He does the same for us.  Countless are the times the Lord has safely carried me through some rough and rocky roads in my life.   How often I cruise through life unaware of just how close I am to falling, both physically and spiritually, yet He once again carries the burden for me.  May we never take for granted the load God continues to carry for us! 

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”  Psalm 55:22

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