Leaning Into Life

Posted byGary FultzPosted inabundant life, accomplishment, adventure, Build Faith, devotional thoughts, discipline, eternal, fishing adventure, Gary Fultz Blog, goals, good marriage, initiator, most imortant relationship, nature pictures, outdoor adventure, outdoor spiritual truths, perspective, purpose in life, quality of life, relationship building, Spiritual Perspective, Uncategorized, victorious living, Work HardTags:, , , , , , , , ,

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.

1002500_10201571290181299_908158250_n166672_187097047985601_1277534_n

My wife gave me a card 8 years ago 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 currency we would be 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 44+ 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. 

Jobs and money: We are not lucky. We have been downsized, outsourced, eliminated, laid off, and flooded out of town. Our middle daughter was born with Spina Bifida. 35 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.

DSC04189Sunset COFA Fish Camp>Goin fishn...confessions by Gary Fultz>Best fishing tackle for Ice Pike By Gary Fultz

Above all, no matter what life has thrown at you. Cut out time for adventure. Choose to love and stay on the road no matter how slippery the conditions get in tough times. I have a picture of that road…You might relate, especially if you have bald tires, a loose steering wheel and two wheel drive. “Jesus Take The Wheel”

 

frosty morning 046
One frosty morning drive

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 thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    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.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment