The Great Outdoors
by Larry Whiteley
SAYING GRACE
When our family gathers for Thanksgiving, one of us says grace as we all hold hands and bow our heads.
Saying grace before meals is a way to remember God, not our credit card, provided the meal. Even if you are not a believer, saying grace recognizes the people whose hard work brought food to your table.
I will admit that I don’t say grace before every meal. When I go through McDonald’s for a biscuit sandwich to eat on my way to crappie fishing, I don’t. When I stop by Arby’s for a roast beef sandwich after a morning hunt, I don’t. I should be thanking God before every meal, but I don’t. I don’t know anyone that does.
I have found it is easier for me to say grace over the game I have harvested or fish I have caught and prepared. Maybe that’s because I have a close connection to them. It is hard to have that feeling with pizza out of a box, hamburgers in a sack, or store-bought groceries.
When grilling a deer steak, I think about that morning in the woods. I remember the beautiful sunrise peeking up over the hill. I remember the frosted field, the crows calling, the birds fluttering through the trees, and the bobcat walking by.
I remember kneeling beside it, laying my hand on it, and thanking the deer for giving its life to feed my family. I remember thanking God for my time in his creation.
It is the same with the crappie I catch. I don’t lay my hand on it and thank it for giving its life to feed my family like I do a deer. But when I fry them up, I remember when I caught them. I see the sun or the moon reflecting on the water. I see the eagle sitting in a tree. I see the deer at the water’s edge. I hear the water lapping against the boat. I say grace before I eat them.
When I take the life of a game animal or fish, I don’t take that lightly. I will always be thankful to God for the great outdoors He created for me to enjoy my hunting and fishing. I will always say grace before eating the wild game or fish He has provided. Saying grace is the least I can do for all God has done for me.
A REALLY CRAPPIE GIFT
Amazon has hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts, and tank tops all imprinted with, I Can’t Work Today, I Feel Crappie. Tell Santa you want one or buy it for yourself. Then, have a crappie day.
THANK A VETERAN
Friday, November 11, is Veteran’s Day. As a veteran, I would like to thank my fellow veterans for your service. God bless you all!
I hope all of you take time from your busy life to thank a veteran, not just on Veteran’s Day but every day. A great way to say thank you is to take them crappie fishing with you.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it… it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” ~ Unknown
