Outdoor Truths

My fishing experiences as a youth were either alone or with the gang that made up Ford’s Woods. What I learned about fishing came from the same sources. I can remember as a youth the day that I was bit by the “bass” bug. Even though I had never been to the lake, the levee was known to be full of largemouth. And even though it was still in my small town, for a kid who either walked or rode his bicycle everywhere, it was a little further away than I was use to going. One summer morning however, we made the trip to the levee for my first attempt at catching a bass. I don’t exactly remember how I got the information but I would be using as bait a red plastic worm. That day marked two distinct changes that, to this day, still affect my fishing. First, it brought a love for that particular game fish and second it made me learn to love the plastic worm. I caught five keeper bass on that first day. When I did start going to the lake as an older youth and a young adult, I can never remember not throwing a plastic worm. In fact that’s the only bait I ever used. While others were cranking and spinning I was patiently and methodically throwing that worm. It is still my favorite bait today.
Much like that infamous first day of bass fishing there are other markers in all of our lives that changed us forever. Some of those markers were happy moments and some were unhappy and even tragic. But all of them were and are significant. They are significant because when you put them together over the years, you see a pattern. It’s a pattern of how God has worked in our lives even when we didn’t realize He was there. Even something as simple as a first fishing trip can become a story that you are reading right now. Nothing is insignificant to God. If we will let Him, He will take every moment of our lives, no matter how good or bad, and use it to make us and the ones around us better. For a Christian it is His promise and that is one more reason to make sure that you are.

Gary Miller
gary@outdoortruths.org

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_{DISCLAIMER: The views, beliefs and opinions expressed in this article, Outdoor Truths, are those of Gary Miller and do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs or opinions of Courageous Christian Father. Outdoor Truth’s is a syndicated article published in various newspaper and online sources and has been used on Courageous Christian Father with permission from Gary Miller. #OutdoorTruths}

About the Author

Gary Miller

Gary began pursuing his desire to write a newspaper column to hunters and fishermen that would lead them to contemplate their relationship with their Creator. The column was picked up by two newspapers. After these many years now, it covers much of the country not only through several newspapers but also through regional magazines and online. His writing provided opportunities to speak to these same hunters and fishermen at events such as Beast Feasts. The results were men giving their lives to Christ.
Even though he was not raised in a hunting or fishing home, Gary has followed his heart to the water and woods since he was a child. What started on the banks of the local canal catching carp, now extends to every part of his life as he aims outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen toward Christ.

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