First Installment of Tommie Gary's Thoughts

Holding On To Life – The Hunting Season

On July 12, 2006 at 2am, Talk Show Host, George Noory of Coast-To-Coast AM Radio told his own story of a well respected friend, Dan (Red) Jamison. Red had borrowed $200 from George, paid up his Life Insurance policy and then committed suicide that same day. Red had been wrongfully ousted from the Sports Caster arena. George was within weeks of getting Red resolved and renewed in a Sports Caster career. Red could not hold on for that success. George wanted to blame his self and surrounding circumstances, but knew that the true blame lay with Red for not being able to hold on until help arrived.

You have heard the phrase that “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” That has been true many times in my own life. One such example came late one November day when I had hunted deer all week long camped in the Kiamichi mountains of Pushmataha County Oklahoma. I was walking down a dirt lane, going back to camp late on the last evening of the hunt. We all had Doe Tags and our Uncle had taken a young doe on opening day in the foggy morning just outside our Camp. She served as great Camp meat. We had eaten well all week. I cooked and all six of us family had a lot of good time enjoying the Piney Woods of Oklahoma. But still, I was discouraged. I had hunted hard all week. I had prepared my homework. I knew deer sign. I scoured the territory early, long, and late. Some of the largest “rubs” (Deer sign) I had ever seen in my life were all around our camp.

My rifle was slung low at my side. I was paying no attention to anything but my own disgust. A large Buck bedded near the dirt trail we called a road suddenly sprang to his feet barely fifty yards ahead and quickly bounded through the woods. By the time I got the gun up and sighted the deer, my two shots only managed to shoot large Pine trees that I didn’t see through the Scope in my haste. The big Buck easily bounded away. I had given up too soon. All the preparation would have paid off. The opportunity had been mine. The score was there to be made. But I gave up too soon. I could not “Hold On” to Hope itself.

Paul told Timothy to come before winter and to bring his Coat. His road on that Missionary journey had been long and weary. His work was great. He was holding on to the task Jesus had put before him. (2nd Timothy 4:1-13.)

Too quickly, we forget that the Path or the road taken was not the journey. It was merely where we walked. How we walked and what we walked for were the important story of our lives. The end result; those evangelized and brought to Christ are the full story. Another Soul saved; one more for the Lord. Even though the path is difficult it must be followed. It must be trod all the way from the beginning to the very end with the same zeal and gratitude that started the journey.

Living each day to its’ fullest is the greatest intent. We project about tomorrow while reflecting on yesterday when today often truly goes unnoticed. Hold on to Hope itself. There are great things in your future. Plan, prepare, wait, and succeed. Hold on. Live, breathe, enjoy, and notice. Hold on. Rest, relax, review, repent, and rejoice! Hold on!! The best is definitely on the way!!!

Still Holding On and Still Hunting…Enjoying Every Minute.
Tommie Gary

Thanks dad!