Leaning Into Life

Dad used to say to me when I was quite young, “Lean into your work son”. 6 AM morning chores on the farm before school. I wasn’t even awake. I have a lifetime of leaning. What and who we lean on becomes apparent and important.

My wife gave me a card that said, “Good for one day of fishing with me”. I might have treated it a bit like a gift card where you can buy several things at various times whenever the case of whims come. She seemed to be OK with that, after all, We raised a family on adventure and faith.

Snow fun 2009
Family fun in the snow

I’m not sure how many gazillion factors enter into having a wonderful life. We can live vivaciously, map out adventures and do all the things paperbound experts recommend; but it may not translate into having a great life. If love were the currency, our family has always been rich.

She doesn’t love fishing. She loves me. I don’t think for a minute she was won over by my looks or charm over the last 50 years. Love was a decision on her part. An equal decision on mine as well. Together we have leaned into life, leaned into each other and leaned into following Jesus. 

We have been downsized, outsourced, eliminated, laid off, and flooded out of town. Our middle daughter was born with Spina Bifida. nearing 40 surgeries, life flighted, several times coin flipping on live or die in E.R. We care for her 24/7 these days. Love is a decision with action and follow through. Lean into life. Lean into loving God and each other. Take pictures in the rain, fog and when the sun shines.

I still remember mom leaning into me, put her frail arms loosely around me and in my ear I heard what would become her last words to me “Hows my boy?” At her funeral we sang her favorite song “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus”.  Mom had learned to lean well.

Leaning Proverb: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Lean well my friend!

Gary

 

Published by Gary Fultz

Outdoors Man, Hunter, Fisherman, Guide, Writer / Author, Photographer, Public Speaker, Musician, Song Writer, Story Teller, Follower Of Jesus. Love God and family and total strangers

16 thoughts on “Leaning Into Life

  1. Gary I’m going to see if there is enough interest in our area for a one day men’s fishing day. I would like to target the first Saturday of June for the reason it is free fishing weekend. I’m thinking I would like to have a guest speaker come in and give two short messages or testimonies. You are the first one who comes to mind. Following your blog I see you have a good insight of men’s issues and you are a great outdoorsmen. Let me know if you would consider this.

    Thanks , Marty

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    1. Thanks Jennifer, that is a great encouragement and kind words. Heartwarming is a good thing where we live as as it is currently close to -30 below zero. I suspect the Amazon jungle area is much warmer your way.

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