It was January 2006 and the snow had begun to fall on the mesa. The boy wished to take a single shot on his father's 12 gauge. It was his first shot on a big gun and you could see the lack of confidence in his eyes.He paused to ask his dad if it was going to hurt. His father knew it would. No boy. Just pull the trigger. Two deep breaths and then Kabloom! The boy's eyes were wide open with excitement. He took a breath and then yelled, Yahoo! Did you see that dad? Did you see my shoulder pop out?The father asked, What did you shoot? Quick witted, the boy replied, Your gun dad. With that, the boy turned his attention to the future and asked, Can we go turkey hunting now?As it is with many fathers and sons, this was my son's first time pulling the trigger on a big gun. The anticipation, uncertainty and thrill of trying something big, was almost more than he could bear. I am sure, like many boys, this will be a memory he will keep forever.In an ever-changing society that is tearing the masculinity out of raising children, I find myself in a fight to emphasize the value of my son becoming a man. After all, the single biggest issue facing society today is the absence of the father in the home.As mainstream society tries to change family values and child rearing, I ask, was not the most important teachings of Jesus based on his own relationship with the Father, which is God?In John 5:19-20, Jesus defined the role of a father saying, Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.Society, in the name of tolerance and political correctness, has managed to destroy that which God himself holds sacred.My challenge to you is to push aside this modern movement and live up to Gods expectation of you as a father. Embrace your most important mission and teach your sons what you have learned. They will grow up to bring you honor.Author Russ Chastain writes, Nothing in hunting is more important than the future. No hunter should value his serious hunting higher than that done with a kid.The same can be said of life, fathers and sons. Next time you go hunting, remember your role, let your son take his first shot. Lance Cherry, a native of New Mexico, has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christs message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, cherrydesigns@excite.com or visit the Crosshairs for Christ website, http://www.crosshairsforchrist.com
Category : GEneral Sports: Hunting
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