An Anxious Heart

Have you ever had those times where you plan something really important and you wait, and you wait and wait and then all the building anticipation sets you up for a let down when things don't turn out like you think they will? All that anticipation, the waiting, the excitement all to just be squashed like a peanut sitting on a railroad track. And if you have never put a peanut on the railroad track, the song is correct.... TOOT TOOT Peanut Butter! This week I kind of feel like peanut butter. You see it is moose season here in Alaska. One of the most important times of the year because this is the season that you get to fill your freezers with meat for the LONG winter ahead. The whole month of September is a busy month! The men (and some women, though I was told by a man that woman can't hunt because their place is in the home and they don't know how to hunt. Yeah I would like to see Keith try to tell me that!) Anyways, People are out hunting, putting up with cold, rainy, windy weather, trying to get a moose. Moose is our survival meat. When a bag of chicken is close to $30, moose becomes A MUST! So far the hunting let downs this month have been making me feel a bit like peanut butter.

Keith has been out hunting every possible moment that he can since the beginning of September. This weekend he went out with 3 other guys in hopes of being able to get 3 moose. One of the guys is new to Alaska this year and can't hunt. We sent them out on Friday with nicer weather and two boats full of gas and food and all the things you need to hunt with, while all the wives and kids at home tracked  them with their GPS SPOT tracking device. Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday were the kind of days that I don't like very much, the WAITING! I am not good at waiting! But I was very hopeful! Surely with 4 guys and 2 boats they would come back with a load of moose. On Sunday, I got the call from Keith arriving at the boat ramp "I didn't get a moose, but Arne did. Come pick us up" I was both excited and disappointed. At least they got one moose! Thank you Lord! But that also means Keith has to continue going out hunting till he gets another one. We figured we went through about half a moose last year so we need at least that this year. Arne was gracious to divide his moose up and give all in the hunting party some. That means we do have moose in our freezer, which is a great relief. However Keith is hoping to hunt till he gets one, so that we can share more with Arne and the other 2 guys. I guess I have been a little disappointed. With my hubby gone for the last 3 weeks hunting, the weather turning bad and my kids asking when Daddy is going to get a moose and come home, I just get a little anxious. OK A LOT ANXIOUS!! Did I mention I am not very good at waiting?  But who is? I know God will provide for our needs because he promises that! And I know he can calm my anxious heart. These verses keep rolling through my brain. I am so glad I have these to give me encouragement!

Matthew 6:25-34
25 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink ; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing ? 26 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life ? 28 "And why are you worried about clothing ? Observe how the lilies of the field grow ; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith ! 31 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will wear for clothing?' 32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things ; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "So do not worry about tomorrow ; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I know many families are still waiting and hunting for moose. So pray for us all as we try to wait with patience and calmness.  This month is always the most stressful to many families and I know we could use all the prayer we can get. Pray that we get the moose we need and that the winter weather will hold off till the end of moose season. Pray also for the wives and families of the men going out to hunt as we wait and pray for safety of the men as they are out on the rivers.