Saying Good-bye

Saying Good-bye

It was the day after Christmas. My oldest son, Brady, had just joined up with his buddy Parker and Parker’s dad and brother to hunt deer at their family’s ranch. He was going to be gone for four or five days. Brady was prepared in every way possible with clothing, money, ammunition, and weapons. But he was also prepared mentally with a chat from me about his personal and operational security.

To make sure that Brady is listening, I often take him to breakfast for our important conversations. On the day of his hunting trip, we grabbed a chicken biscuit and discussed the various ways something could go wrong. I told him, “Brady, there will be loaded guns in your hands and in the hands of your friends. You have to be vigilant about your safety and about theirs as well.” He agreed and told me that he would take the greatest care. I then mentioned that it would be during the in-between times of the hunt when his guard was down that he and his friends would be most susceptible to getting hurt—whether it be on the four-wheeler or in an accident with a firearm.

Saying good-bye that morning wasn’t hard, because I trusted my son and the Davidsons, but I also said good-bye knowing that something could go horribly wrong. Maybe it was the heightened awareness of the dangers of hunting that had my antenna up, knowing that if there were an accident, I might not ever see my son again.

But the reality of all our lives is that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. We say hello and good-bye every day, not knowing if we will see our loved ones again. Since this is the case, it is so important that we seek to live at peace with one another. Ephesians 4:32 states, “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Value your relationships, knowing none of us is guaranteed tomorrow.

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32