OUTDOOR TRUTHS

We had this six-pointer on camera several times. However, he was not just any six. The sheds from last year measured 135 inches. My first evening I chose the wrong stand. He showed up at a different one. For the next few days, I hunted where he was last seen, every morning and evening. He still lives. And I really wanted him. Oh, sure I would have been happy to put an arrow through some other giant. But this guy was different. This guy had a different story. This guy made the most out of the gifts he was given. And that makes his story better than most, because that don’t happen much – with deer or people.

After seeing this year’s pictures, we estimated this deer would score in the mid to upper 140’s. Again, it was the deer I wanted. And while I still have one more opportunity, I’m not sure he (or any deer) will show up under my stand. But if I had his antlers on my wall, it would remind me how God has gifted each of us differently. For some, He has given unbelievable potential. Those individuals are the ones who win the award for “Most Likely to Succeed.” They are the ones who move like leaders and talk like entrepreneurs. They are easy to see coming. They are the 10-pointers. And then there’s the rest of us. We have our own talents and gifts. Some have more than one. Each of us also has abilities that may cause us to stand out from others. But we look at ourselves and know that while the possibilities are endless, our potential is not. For instance, I may be able to match wits with some intelligent people, but no matter how hard I study, I will never be able to join the Mensa club. I just don’t have that potential. But here’s what we all have. We have the ability to make our gifts go further than most others do. You see this six-pointer would never have become as desirable and valuable just being a six-pointer. But when he rose above all other six-pointers, not only did he stand out from others his size, but he also stood out from those with great potential who are satisfied to just live around other 10-pointers but never rise up above the others in their class. So, don’t fret over what God didn’t give you, but instead, take what He has given you, and do something with it that no one else does.