Hunting Lessons: The Lost Arrow

Hunting Lessons: The Lost Arrow

I don’t know any bow hunter that has not had the experience of losing arrows after the hunt or during practice. I myself have dredged through woods looking for arrows, and let me tell you it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. They can be found (a metal detector is very handy), but it is very frustrating.

Harris Boys Practicing Bow Shooting
Harris Boys Practicing Bow Shooting

Most of my boys just know that this is an inevitable fact of life, but one of my boys (my responsible, hard-working, diligent, perfectionistic child) just really hates to lose his arrows. Even on these small events, my nature is to want to rescue my children from any sorrow or frustration. I want to jump right in and help him feel better (find the arrow).

I know you are probably thinking, “Losing a $10.00 arrow is so insignificant. Doesn’t he have anything bigger to be upset about?” This particular child has truly gone through some very trying things that he has handled much better than I ever would have. I think, though, the little aggrevations in life seem to be “in your face” so often and so small that we don’t deal with them effectively. I think that many depression problems today have to do with not dealing with these “little” things that come up during the day. I knew that this was not yet the time to try to teach him how I have learned to deal with the “little” frustrations of life.

Well, my response this time was to go inside, let him find his arrow or not, and pray for him while I cooked dinner. I am so blessed that I can see my children’s propensities and pray as they come up during the day. He is normally a very even-tempered and happy person; a very steady guy. He had just bought these arrows with his hard-earned money which he didn’t have very much of and was very tired from studying all day.

I couldn’t help thinking, “What great training for the future”! I know that I sound somewhat happy about this event, but these are the kind of events that life is made of. The sooner we learn to live with disappointments (big and small) in life the better. It really starts when we are three or four months old. I often wonder if we have been dealing with disappointment from the time we were mere babies, Why do little things still seem so big, get us into a twit, and cause an hour of anxiety? I guess it boils down to wanting what we want (selfishness), wanting what is fair (boy is that not gonna happen), and wanting ease.

One of the strangest thoughts came to my mind as I was cooking dinner. Of all things, my thoughts were turned to a DIY show that I had seen probably seven years previous. This guy was doing a surprise kitchen renovation for his wife and he lost a key tool to continue renovating. The entire show followed him as he looked everywhere for this tool. He seemed to be having so much fun as if he thought this was very normal. He was halarious, and his joy was contagious even over the television. He was always laughing. I would have been going CRAZY! At the end of the show he found what he was looking for….in his pocket! He busted out laughing…yes, laughing!!

Apparently, that left quite an impression on me. I often think of him and desire to be as light hearted and fun as he is and hope that my children will do the same. I think if we can be joyful, even in the frustrations, our children will want to be like us and will have hope for this life. I know one thing; a person like this would make an awesome spouse!

Well, back to the story. I remembered Proverbs 25: 11 said, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” I believe that parents know their kids better than anyone. I knew what would touch my sons heart and kind of make him see the reality of how small an issue this really was. I do want to say that he was not in any way being disrespectful, just overly obsessed with finding that arrow.

I had one of his sisters give him a $10.00 bill and give him a hug. Remember I KNEW this child, and that he would never take the money. This gift was very fitly “spoken” or rather given. At that moment, I could see all tension removed from his body. Now the timing was rich for a perfect  teaching opportunity of reminding him, as well as the other kids, to remain joyful in trying times. Remaining joyful during these times will bring joy and a testimony to those around us. These are the times that I think our lives are most fruitful. There was true joy the rest of the night and a resolve that all is well and that $10.00 is not worth frustration. Really, no amount of money should remove our joy. I believe this child will one day be a great husband and dad for his kids.

I love that I continue to learn lessons…on a daily basis through my children!

 

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6 Comments

  1. Eddy Sanders says:

    Excellent article and so true, thanks for sharing.

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      Thanks so much for the feedback. May God Bless you!

  2. Very appropriate to remind us, particularly in current world events, to live a joyful, hopeful life, because we know our Lord is in control, as an example to others, because we know that prophecy is being fulfilled in Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49, as we go through these days. We must look up for our redemption is near! Maranatha, Lord Jesus!

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      Amen Rhonda! Thanks for commenting!

  3. Mike Jones says:

    Started with a bow when I was 14, I’m 62 and losing an arrow still sucks. Great article

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      Wow! I will pass that on to my sons. “Blessed is the man whose quiver is FULL of them!” I know the Bible is talking about children, but it could go for the arrows of a hunter too! I hope you don’t lose any this season.

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