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Thankful for My Hunters

Great hunters dwell in my home.

Earlier in the summer, we moved the bluebird house off of the deck and into a nearby tree. The sleek black feline hunter was poking his paws into the small opening, searching for prey. I love the fact that my cat scares off the rabbits, squirrels, black birds and mice, but he was taking it too far with the baby blue birds.

So, in an effort to keep the bluebirds around, we moved their house. But, even in their new location, they are not safe. The cat climbed straight up that tree and slung himself precariously across a thin branch while dangling over the edge of the bird house. And there was that paw reaching around from behind the house to poke its way into the round opening.

Thankfully, the bluebirds have already evacuated so I could laugh at my cat hanging by a mere claw doing acrobatics to reach his prey.

On the same morning, my little guy (3 1/2) was catching grasshoppers. The big flying grasshoppers were eluding him though, so he put on his serious face and got to work as a real hunter. I've never NEVER seen my little rambunctious loud wild boy be so quiet, so patient, so slow. He tiptoed in S L O W motion over to the grasshoppers location setting his foot down ever so carefully each time in the grass. And yet the grasshopper still flew away as soon as he got close. This hunt continued for at least a half an hour. I've NEVER seen a little boy so persistent and patient.

And there's another hunter around here too. Not to be outdone by the tree-climbing antics of the cat or the stealth of the little boy, the Main Man will be hoisting himself 30 feet up into a stand, at the darkest of hours in absolute silence and lack of scent decked in camouflage to see if he can find himself a deer. He won't get up before 6:00 for Christmas, or for a gourmet breakfast, or for ANYTHING, but he makes an exception once a year for the hunt.

It seems to me that hunting will cause people (and animals) to behave in rather strange ways....it makes them go beyond themselves. And as I write this, I wonder... What am I hunting? Am I willing to go out of my way to find HIM? Am I willing to push myself and do things I wouldn't normally do in pursuit of Him?

I'm thankful for my great hunters around here because they've challenged me to think about my own hunt.

Comments

Denise said…
This was really a sweet post my friend.
Susan said…
Hey Heather,

Been thinking of you lately! This was so neat. I have a brave hunter here too. He brings his gifts to my door daily. Cats are amazing animals huh?

Yes, God has surrounded you with some awesome hunters!

I want to be more passionate in my hunt for Him as well!

Blessings~
Anonymous said…
You just made me thankful for Twitty Bird! I miss Saturday morning cartoons.
The Olson's: said…
You have such a great ability to take the every-day happenings and turn them into a life lesson - hunting, pursuing Him! Thank you!
~ Leanne
Debra Kaye said…
Thank you for sharing this beautiful TT post! I enjoyed it.
Marsha said…
That was a sweet testimony of God's creativity in little boys and preying animals. I love it when He shows Himself through creation.

Have a blessed weekend.
Kathy Schwanke said…
Heather, I could visualize the grasshopper hunt! woa, those boys, quite a piece of work huh? I had a little one over here this week, turning over rocks to find grubs and salamanders. Picking cattails. Focused like yours was. How sweet.

To have the same intent focus on our pursuit of God...wonderful meditation.
Loved your final thoughts about this hunt. Great!
Pat said…
Boys! The things they are made of. They never run out of fresh entertainment do they.

A good reminder that our personal hunt should be so creative and persistant. Thank you for the inspiring thougths,
Pat
Amico Dio said…
Boys. That's all I can say. :)

Great post!

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