- Jeremiah had accumulated a lot of outdoor gear over the years.
- A few weeks later, the pastor came to them at church…
By Larry Whiteley
His name is Jeremiah. He lives alone in the house that he and his wife built in the 1970s. His wife passed away a few years ago. Their kids and grandkids live in other states. They are busy with their own lives, but they check on him often.
He had passed his love of the outdoors on to all of them. It was the best gift he could have ever given them. They all enjoy the outdoors and all that it has to offer. They still camp, hike, fish, and hunt. He smiles when he thinks about that.
Jeremiah had accumulated a lot of outdoor gear over the years. Since he is well past the age of doing many of the things he loved so much, he had already passed on some of it to family, including two ATVs, a bass boat, a duck boat, and much more. A grandson’s name is already on the title of his truck when it is his time to go.
There were still many things that none of them wanted or needed, including an old aluminum fishing boat. Jeremiah had been worrying about what would happen with all the rest of his outdoor things when the good Lord called him home.
Last year, a young man at church came up to him. He had heard others talk about how Jeremiah had been an outdoorsman. He wanted to learn how to hunt for deer and turkey. His dad had never done any of that. The young man started asking Jeremiah questions. Every week, he would come to him at church eager to learn more. He told Jeremiah he wanted to be a conservation agent.
Then, he talked his dad into coming with him to talk to Jeremiah. The father was hesitant, but he wanted to learn, so he and his son could spend more time together. He didn’t want to bother Jeremiah, but he finally gave in to his son’s wishes. Jeremiah was anxious to teach them and invited them to his house after church. He showed them all the deer, turkey, pheasant, duck, and fish mounts on the walls.
They saw many pictures of outdoor adventures with his family and friends. He told them stories about each and every one of them. He showed them different types of fishing and hunting equipment they would need. How to put up a tent. How to shoot a gun and a bow. How to care for the fish and game. Anything and everything he possibly could.
Over the next few months, they came often to learn from the old man about deer and turkey hunting. He was enjoying his time with them, and they were enjoying their time with him.
One Sunday, Jeremiah surprised them with several bags of his hunting clothes and gear he had used over the years. They went home with camouflaged blinds and tree stands. He even took them to the woods where he had hunted. He shared his knowledge of deer and turkey hunting with them. Later, he would ask them questions to make sure they understood.
Dad and son were unsuccessful during the deer and turkey season. They will be trying to get a turkey or a deer again this year. They will someday. When they do, Jeremiah will be the first to know, and he will smile. Right now, father and son are growing closer together and making memories that will last a lifetime.
The next time they were over, he gave them most of his camping gear and took them to some of the many camping places he had been. He showed them how to pitch a tent, build a campfire, and even cook a meal over the campfire.
He took them to some of his favorite hiking places. Even though he could no longer hike like he used to. Sometimes he would tell them to go on. There were well-worn trails with markers the old man had made, so there was no worry of them getting lost.
Another Sunday at church, they came up to Jeremiah asking questions about fishing. The son wanted to go fishing, and the Dad had no idea where to go, what to use, or how to prepare and cook fish.
Jeremiah asked what they were doing after church. He took them to some of his favorite fishing holes. Again, Jeremiah gave them some of his rods, reels, and tackle. He again showed them how to use them and what to use to catch fish.
The next Saturday, Jeremiah called and told them to meet him at a certain place on a nearby lake. When they got there, Jeremiah was not there. Then, they heard the sound of a motor and saw Jeremiah in an old fishing boat motoring into the cove. Jeremiah was smiling. “Well, what are you waiting for?” he said. “Let’s go fishing in your new boat.”
The boy was overcome with joy. The dad told Jeremiah he could never thank him enough for all he had done for them. “You can thank me by passing on all I have taught you about God’s great outdoors to other kids and their fathers,” Jeremiah said.
A few weeks later, the pastor came to them at church and told them Jeremiah had passed away while sitting at his desk looking at pictures of his family and pictures of the man and his son enjoying the outdoors. When they found him, his hand was on his Bible. He knew where he was going.
The pastor handed them an envelope with their names on it. Inside was a lifetime hunting and fishing license for both of them. Then the pastor handed them another envelope. When they opened it, there was a check to cover the son’s entire college tuition so he could be a conservation agent.
The dad and son each spoke at the funeral. Tears ran down their cheeks. They looked at Jeremiah’s family and friends and told them about all he had done for them and how they planned to pass it on. The son said they were going to do for others what Jeremiah had done for them. His gifts to them had totally changed their lives.
All of us who love the outdoors can do what Jeremiah did. We can give to others…gifts of immeasurable value.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: “There is no nobler tradition than passing the rod, the rifle, or the trail on to the next generation.” – Author Unknown