ENJOYMENT by Larry D. Wright

I knew it was the kind of morning that ducks would fly. I was all set and waiting. The decoys seemed alive as they rocked in the light wind. None of them were knocking against one another, so I did a good job in hastily setting them out. That was a first. A lazy fog was as stubborn lifting off of the surface of the marsh as a teenager getting out of bed on a school morning. A single wood duck left his roost and whistled by in the moonlight. Obviously, it was still too dark to see but I knew the sound well.

My black Lab Pepper whimpered with excitement as she snuggled up against my leg for a little added warmth. Her amber eyes scanned the pink horizon for early signs of life. These were special moments we enjoyed together for it made all the hours of training worth it. She, too, sensed that today would be different from the many others in which nothing exciting happened.

Streaks of orange began to appear in the east and that meant that daylight wasn’t far behind. The majestic pre-dawn nature of a swamp is difficult to describe. It is a unique blend of deadness and life, stillness and movement that create a splendor of rare beauty that few people ever experience. And, we water fowlers are called crazy by the majority of those people! Yet to me, the call of the marsh is stronger than the demand for sleep or warmth. It is intoxicating and that is what brings me back year after year.

Our wait was over as flocks of ducks appeared on the horizon. Better yet, they were willing to work and responded like ducks should when I blasted a "highball" from my call. Two drakes and a "Suzy" headed in our direction.... I knew that it was the kind of day that ducks would fly!

Hours later I sat in the warm comfort of my truck sipping hot coffee. Warm socks...dry gloves...Pepper buried deep in the straw within in her box, "It doesn’t get any better than this!", I said out loud to myself reflecting on the morning hunt. It had been so enjoyable.... the solitude, the success, the natural beauty.

Then an old foe interrupted my thoughts. It was the hound of guilt. He had tracked me to one of my favorite spots, for it seemed that he could find me anywhere. I had encountered his menacing temptation before and unfortunately; I had not always won the battle. On this occasion he enticed me to feel guilty over a simple pleasure.... enjoying life!

On this day I was fit for the fight as the Spirit quickened my mind with a verse..."the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy," I was free from the temptation to feel guilty for enjoying a small pleasure. Indeed, my heavenly Father wants me to enjoy the small details of life. That is a glorious and liberating truth!