God works even in the "insignificant" trials of life (A Redneck's Struggles)

 I had been hunting all season and had no deer to show for it. It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the last week of huntings season. I decided that this was going to be my last day hunting so I could spend the rest of the time with family over the holiday. My plan was to hunt the early morning for a buck, but if I had not shot one by then I was going to shoot the first deer I saw so I could bring home some meat. This morning was between -5 and 5 degrees with a nasty wind chill. I sat in what I thought was a good spot to get a chance at a BIG buck seen the day before. To my disappointment the deer were all moving farther down the hill so they could stay out of the wind. I had spent a portion of my time, as I sat there, praying for a chance to shoot the BIG one, but telling God I would be content with whatever He provided for me. After sitting about an hour I noticed movement down the hill but the trees were to thick for me to see if what I was seeing was a buck or a doe. Needless to say I was so cold that moving seemed like a better idea than sitting did to me, so I slowly got up and started my way down the hill. As I inched closer down the hill I found a buck that looked about 17 in. wide and a small doe. They were darting back and forth as they flirted with each other (kinda like some people during my junior year at college). I must have been 70 yards from the deer at this point but I was unable to shoot because I was shivering to hard to hold the gun steady. At this point I started praying that God would allow me to get close enough to get a good shot at the buck. I continued down the hill watching the deer very carefully to avoid being spotted. The the deer and his dear finally bedded down in some brush. I got even closer. I must have been 40 yards away but I was still shivering to hard to make a shot at this point. I walked to within 25 yards of the two deer (completely by the grace of God). The buck sensed something was not right so he stood up to see what was wrong. this was my chance so I shivered really hard so I could hold still long enough to take the shot. BANG! The buck ran to the right as I started to jack another round into the gun, but the action on the Winchester 94 was cold enough that it didn't take the round, so I tried again and finally got a round in, and by habit I put the gun on half cock safety. The buck stopped presenting another beautiful  broadside shot. BANG! Another miss! I stared in shock. How could I miss such an easy shot? This is when I started to have a personal pitty party for my self as I went to check and see if there did happen to be blood. Nothing. At this time I was in an all out fit blaming God, myself, and whatever else for the remarkably terrible shot. I continued to follow where the deer went still not believing that I missed such an easy shot. I eventually circled and was back where I started that morning, the whole time maintaining my pouting and poor attitude. As I continued I decided to put plan 'B' into action, shoot the first deer I see. As I walked I spent more time in prayer as I struggled with what happened just a short while ago. I knew that my actions were wrong but in my flesh I was still struggling with the idea of repenting for the poor attitude. I had now at this point started walking down the hill but in a different drainage than I did previously. I was not paying close attention being how my mind was still distracted. I glanced up as I was walking and stopped quickly. 50 yards in front of me looked to be like antlers in the buck brush behind a rise in the ground. Looking back it is interesting to see how I went from struggling with the poor attitude to praying that God would allow me to get close enough to shoot this deer (by this time the hiking warmed by body back up). I worked my way closer to this buck asking God to dull the buck's senses so I could get a shot off (and hit this time). I got within 30 yards and stopped for a shot... nope I still could only see antlers and ears. I tried getting closer. 20 yards... still only ears and antlers. 10 yards... still only ears and antlers. I sat there not wanting to move any closer in fear of scaring the game away. I was praying still that God would allow me to shoot this deer (the size of the deer was not registering in my cranial cavity). The buck finally stuck his head up just enough that I was able to try for a neck shot. BANG! He didn't even get out of his bed. I walked over to look at what I just shot. I took one look at the buck set my gun down, fell to my knees and cried in brokenness, amazement, and thankfulness. I in no way deserved to get a deer that day, but God in His Grace and Mercy allowed me to shoot this deer to remind me that He answers prayers, and that He works despite how rotten our attitudes can be. I am so thankful that God uses even the things that seem to have no spiritual value to show us His power and that we can trust in Him for all of our needs.

Oh yeah... This is the BIG buck that was spotted the day before...

I decided to have this one mounted because there is a lot more behind this deer than BIG antlers and a good hunt.