The first weekend of September Brayden and I were able to slip away for a few days together. Our stated purpose…dove hunting. Our destination…Wheeler, Texas. Now don’t get me wrong. I really enjoy dove hunting. But something even greater always occurs on these trips. I get to spend time with my son. Parenting is an awesome responsibility and privilege God gives us, and the time we have with them as children seems to speed by so fast. But when Brayden and I go hunting, it usually includes trips to Bass Pro Shop, packing our gear, drive time in the truck (18 hours roundtrip this time), sitting in a stand or some other hunting location, mealtimes, hanging out in the cabin between hunts, cleaning birds, and so forth. So as you can see, there is a lot of time we are “with” each other.One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Mark 3:14. In it we read that Jesus “appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach.” Before Jesus ever sent these men out to preach He was simply with them. It has been said that some things are better caught than taught. We know that Jesus taught His disciples, but I’m convinced that His plan also included them “catching” His plan for evangelism through making disciples. These early followers would walk with Him, talk with Him, eat with Him, minister with Him, and on and on they would go just being “with Him.” When you look around in your life who is with you? Someone invested part of their life in you sharing the Gospel with you and teaching you the truths of God’s Word. God now expects the same from you and me (see Matt. 28:19-20). Let me encourage you to begin at home by praying daily for your children. Take time through the week to pray with them and read the Bible with them. This simple act will mean so much to both of you and will impact their lives for eternity. Next, prayerfully look around you to see who you could “disciple.” Sure there will be some biblical teaching you will need to share with this person, but also remember that time spent together is an opportunity for a growing believer to see how you act and react, applying God’s Word to various settings in life.
For Brayden and me some of our deepest, most open and honest discussions have occurred on these hunting trips. I thank God that we get to enjoy hobbies such as hunting together. But even more so, I thank God for my children and the opportunities my wife and I have to point them toward the One who wants us to be “with Him” for eternity!
