Writing from the comfort of my home after spending the better part of the last couple weeks out in the woods hunting - without electricity, running water and plumbing. In doing this, I learned to appreciate God’s beautiful creation more than I thought I could have. I can’t help but think of the title of one of Luke Comb’s most recent songs, Where the Wild Things Are. Not because of the story or the meaning of the actual song, which is normally how people relate to a song; but because of the title.
Being out in the woods is such a treat. Hunting or hiking or any activity aside, it’s just a great chance for me to rest and recharge and unplug. Not saying that I necessarily find a shaded tree to take a nap under or leave my phone behind completely, but just the change of pace that comes with it. Nobody to respond to except maybe a call on the walkie talkie. No computer screens or technical glitches. No traffic or honking horns or bad drivers. Just the sound of silence that comes with the wind in the trees, the leaves rustling on the ground and maybe the occasional bird flying by. Sometimes as I’m walking along, I just stop and listen. Listening to nothing really, but also everything around me as it’s not making a sound. I spent an entire day this past weekend in the woods by myself, for basically the length of a full work day. I got out before sunrise and I got back to my truck as the sun was setting. I didn’t see anything that I was hunting for all day. But the sun was out, it was a 63° Fall day, and I had food and water to last me the entire day. I just soaked it all in and made the most of it!
I believe in any activity that we set out to do - whether it’s exercising at the gym or going for a hike or bike ride, or painting a picture that you are trying to get out of your head onto paper - we are to make the most of the situation and take it as it comes. Maybe you’re not feeling great at the gym that day. But hey, you’re there and you’re moving your body. Maybe the pictures of the hike or the description of the trail online isn’t what you thought it would be. Good! That’s okay! Make the most of what’s right in front of you and create your own experience. When your hand picked up the paint brush and started moving, something totally different ended up on that piece of paper than you originally intended. And look, you still created a masterpiece!
I didn’t see any deer or elk during my time out in the woods. All I saw was a lot of fresh poop and some footprints in the mud that let me know that they had been there. Even though this started out as where the wild things are, it turned into where they are not. And I still made the most of it!
So nice to just be out and not worry about anything!