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The air was cold and the sky was still dark as my dad and I loaded the truck. I could barely contain my excitement. I’d been scouting a new hunting spot for weeks, and it was perfect—a natural funnel point near water, surrounded by acorns. It was the kind of place you dream about.
On the way, Dad asked, “So, where are we heading today?”
“The location isn’t far,” I told him, my voice buzzing with anticipation. “A short walk from the truck, maybe. But don’t worry, this place is going to be worth it.”
I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, practically running to the spot, imagining the big deer we were about to see. I painted a picture for Dad of how the hunt would unfold, the excitement growing in him, too. As we approached the clearing where I planned to hang my stand, my heart began to sink.
Someone else was in “my perfect spot.”
The place where everything was supposed to come together. The place I knew would make the day a success. That perfect place of enjoyment I had planned for my dad and me was taken.
Have you ever been there? Maybe not in the woods, but in life? That place where you were sure everything was going to go exactly as you planned, only to find your hopes dashed? This is a tough lesson in trusting God’s plan when it feels like your own has been wrecked.
When Your Blessings Feel Blocked
Sometimes, this is how we act toward God. You go to church in a great mood, ready to worship, only to find someone else sitting in your favorite seat. You know the one—the only seat where God can speak directly to you every Sunday morning. Now, you think, that person is going to receive your blessing because they’re in your seat.
Crazy, right? But be honest with yourself. What happens to your attitude? Your whole day feels ruined. You can’t focus during the service because all you can think about is that you’re not in your spot. Whatever the pastor says falls on deaf ears because, in your mind, it’s easier to do right when you know right, and right now, all you know is that your routine is wrong.
God wants you to worship Him anywhere, whether you’re in your favorite seat or in the back row. It’s not about the location; it’s about your heart in that moment. It’s about the gift of time He has given you to worship Him and enjoy His presence.
Spending your time upset because things didn’t go exactly the way you planned is foolish. It’s as if you’re telling God He doesn’t know what He’s doing.
Plans change. Things don’t always go our way because God sometimes orchestrates interruptions to get our attention. He yearns for our undivided focus and will change things up to show us where our focus really was. This is a core part of Christian fatherhood—learning to model that trust for our kids.
How to Shift Your Focus Back to God
Back in the woods with my dad, I was so focused on the perfect spot that I’d lost sight of why we were there. This wasn’t just about faith and hunting; it was about spending time together in God’s creation. I thought my day was ruined. We had to scramble to find a new spot, one I hadn’t scouted, one I had little confidence in.
I wish I could say the day turned out better than expected. I wish I could tell you there was a happy ending where Dad shot the biggest deer of his life.
But that’s not what happened. We didn’t see a single thing.
And yet, it was one of the best trips I can remember. It was a day where we made the most memories, just being together. We laughed, we talked, and we found a few new areas to scout for the next season. My focus shifted from the “perfect hunt” to the perfect gift right in front of me: one of many father-son lessons I learned from him over the years. That day, the purpose in my disappointment was to remind me that presence with people matters more than productivity in the field.
Don’t Just Show Up, Be Present
When it comes to God, don’t just show up to sit in your favorite spot and talk to the same people. Sometimes, God will let someone else sit in your seat so you can get a different perspective. Maybe He’s trying to use you. You never know who is sitting around you. By having to move, you might get the chance to introduce yourself to a visitor who desperately needs to connect with God that day. You might be the blessing they were praying for.
The same goes for your daily devotions. Don’t just go through the motions while your mind races in a dozen different directions. Absorb yourself in the time you have and in what you’re reading. It takes a conscious decision to begin with a clear mind, ready to focus and listen to what God is trying to tell you. If we want to clearly see danger signs like a whitetail deer, we first have to learn to be still and pay attention.
Come to your devotions willing and ready for God to speak.
Campfire Recap
Be thankful for every day that God allows you to open your eyes and get out of bed. We are not promised tomorrow, and you may never get another opportunity to make memories with your loved ones like I did on that hunting trip.
Make the best of every situation. You never know what blessings God may deliver when you choose a good attitude and strive to serve Him daily. Sometimes, the greatest gift is found not in getting our perfect spot, but in realizing our plans were in the way of His.
- Trust the Interruption. When your plans fall apart, see it as an opportunity for God to show you what He values.
- Focus on Presence. Whether it’s with God in worship or with family in the woods, your presence is more important than the “perfect” circumstances.
- Model Grace. The way you handle disappointment is a lesson your children will never forget. It’s one of the key things you’d want to tell your 20-year-old self.
God Bless.
The Take-Away
Take time to think about these questions and spend some time around a campfire in prayer with them.
- In what ways have you let your attitude judge how the rest of your day is going to be?
- Are there areas in your life that you would like for God to change?
- What Outdoor Adventure can you share that parallels with this story
Share this article with a friend who you think would benefit from reading it.
