Hello 2018. Too Cold To Hunt 1/1/2018

Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Jingle Bell Java did not stay warm for very long this morning. 2018 greeted us with a slap of frigid weather right in the face. I woke up to temperatures well below zero.

Ephesians 4:22-24English Standard Version (ESV)

²² to put off your old self,^[a] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

One tradition we have had for quite a few years is to go out and chase pheasants on New Years Day at a ranch about an hour away. We have prided ourselves in showing up despite the weather. Until today we had hunted in temperatures that hovered above zero. Never have we hunted in below zero weather. We have made the trip in blizzards and have hunted in white outs, but not in weather way below zero. Too dangerous today.

So we had to break the tradition. It would have been just way too cold for the dogs and frozen paws were not a desired outcome. Handling guns with layered clothing and gloves could be a shot best not taken. The best we could muster up today was for my nephew Nick and I to eat some breakfast together. That was no risk at all!

Now the world did not come to and end because our string was broken. I know some people who will actually plunge into Lake Michigan today as part of a tradition called the (Polar Plunge). I should set up a hot towel and hot chocolate stand right by the beach today. But I am not sure if it would be proper to make a profit off of other's nonsense. I decided not to go swimming. I just couldn't find my Speedo and that is a tradition best left closed.

We will reschedule our hunt and hope for a different outcome next New Years Day. But since this tradition is worth keeping it will be planned again.

But what about the traditions that need to go? What will you carry into this year that would be better left in 2017. Addiction? Drunkenness? Hostility? Laziness? Procrastination? The Inability To Forgive? Lewdness? Abuse? Excessive Pride? Gambling? Cheating? Missing Church? Stealing? Lying?

For us, the smart thing to do was to give in to common sense and live to hunt with all ten fingers next weekend. Common sense would also tell us that the other items listed above are worth leaving behind and best not rescheduled. Our foolish hearts tell us to keep the traditions that hurt us.

Traditions are meant to be broken when they produce negative outcomes and are harmful to us and those around us. So go ahead, make a change for the positive. Don't be frozen into last year.

God bless,

Marty

Food for thought? What needs to go?