It didn’t seem like a major issue. I was getting ready for the first quail hunt of the year when I got out a pair of hunting socks and pulled them onto my feet. They had been waiting patiently during the off season. I noticed a small hole in the left sock. I usually get all the good out my socks before moving them to the rag bag. It was about five years ago when I opted to quit wearing socks with holes in them because I felt financially solvent enough to do so.
This morning my choice was more about laziness than anything else. I slid on my boots and smiled unconsciously as I anticipated another quail season. I finished getting ready, booted the dogs, and picked up Kendall. We headed to the fields we always hunt at the beginning of the season. We were pleasantly surprised to find several birds where we had found none last year. It was so exciting to hear coveys flush.
Shortly before lunch, I noticed that the big toe on my left foot was hurting a bit. It dawned on me that the small hole may have grown larger. After consuming a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I removed my left boot and saw my toe sticking out of my sock. I tried to adjust the sock to cover the blistering toe. If it helped, it did not help much. By the time we had finished our somewhat successful, 10 ½ mile long hunt, my toe was tender. The blister had ruptured, and the toe was throbbing.
What had begun as a small, fixable situation became extremely painful as we logged more and more miles. If I had just dealt with the problem when it was small, band aids and ointments would have been unnecessary. More importantly – pain would have been avoided. It was my own fault. I had plenty of good socks available. I just chose to take a risk on one more hunt. That risk bit me on the toe!
The time to take care of issues in life is when they are small. Remember the young Dutch boy who plugged up the dike and saved his town? Solomon referred to them as the little foxes that spoil the vineyard. Little issues become big issues when they are ignored for any reason. Life is a marathon. Proceed accordingly.
I love you, Earl
- This Sundays Sermon “The Lord Is My Shepherd” Psalm 23:1-6
- Family Worship and LifeGroups, Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- Services are being posted on the church website, the church YouTube channel at FBC Weatherford Media, and on the church Facebook page at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday
FBC Weatherford Weekly 