Jackson's Junction - October 2017

Since 2010 I have been addicted, and that may not be a strong enough word, to being in the woods for the fall deer hunt.  It is truly a blessing to be able to be in God’s creation that time of year.  God has even blessed me with being able to harvest several deer, including a few nice bucks.  As the time approaches for the upcoming season I am getting more and more excited.  I’ve been recapping past hunts and dreaming about those to come. 
 
One hunt in particular I can remember real well.  It was the fall of 2013, one week after the tornado went through Fountain County.  If you were here I’m sure you remember that day and the days after very well.  A lot of time was spent in cleaning up debris and helping other people put things back together.  Blood, sweat, and tears were all given during that week.  Cuts, splinters, blisters, and bruises were all outward signs of our affection for one another.
 
In his book “A Look at Life From a Deer Stand”, Steve Chapman tells the story of a buck that he harvested that had a big scar on his face.  He said it was a scar that showed his affection toward a doe that he had to fight for.  All of the bucks that I have harvested have had these same types of scars.  They all have shown outward signs of their affection toward the ones they care about.   I know that’s a little weird talking about scars on a deer’s face but we have all been there when it comes to the ones we care about.  We can probably find a scar on our own bodies that reminds us of helping or stepping up for the ones we care about. 
 
After harvesting his deer, Steve wrote a song titled “Scars of Love”.  Here are the lyrics:
 
On the faces of the soldiers who have fought for our freedom
On the arms of the brave ones who have saved us from the fires
On the knees of the mothers who have prayed for wayward children
You will find them…
 
Scars of love on the skin
Proof on the outside of what lies within
Let us all bow our heads
And thank our God above for all the scars,
Scars of love.
 
On the shoulders of the farmers who have carried our hunger
On the backs of the miners who have
warmed us with their coal
On the lips of the preachers who have never feared the truth
You will find them…
 
Scars of love on the skin
Proof on the outside of what lies within
Let us all bow our heads
And thank our God above for all the scars,
Scars of love.
 
And on the hands and the feet of the Carpenter from Galilee
Can you see…
 
Scars of love on the skin
Proof on the outside of what lies within
Let us all bow our heads
And thank our God above for all the scars,
Scars of love.
​
Jesus’ scars aren’t from a physical fight like that of a deer, but of a spiritual one to save you and me from death.  He chose to receive them when He didn’t deserve them so we wouldn’t have to be punished for our sin.  For that reason we owe him everything because of His scars of love.

​Derrick