My dad once told me a story about an Indian chief who had it in his head he was ready to die.
The old chief went to his council and said, "I have lived many moons now on this earth. I have seen all that it has, from the giant buffalo herds to the Grizzly with her cubs. I have seen the snow falling in winter, and the green grass growing in the summer. I have seen the leaves burn bright and fall away in the autumn.
"I know the way of a man with a woman. I know how children have filled my heart with joy. I have felt the sting of an arrow, and I have suffered the loss of my brothers in battle.
"I have it seen it all. There is no more. My heart is dull like my favorite knife. I know of nothing else that will widen my eyes with joy or surprise.
"I will go into the woods tonight and sing my death song. All that is left to see is the Happy Hunting Ground."
The old chief then held out his peace pipe and asked one of the young warriors to light it. He expected one of them to take the pipe to the fire. Instead, a warrior scooped up a handful of ashes and carried a glowing coal to the chief.
Astonished at this new way to light his pipe, and how the coal did not burn the young man, the Chief looked at his council and waved his arm across them. "The Happy Hunting Ground can wait."
The point of this story, my daddy said, was life can get long. It can get tedious. Things that once brought you joy may get old and stale. But then you must be on the lookout for the things you have not seen or experienced.
Always keep your eyes and your heart open.
I try to think about this story when life feels painfully routine, flat, or pointless. There is still so much to see. So much to do. Especially if you do it as unto the Lord!
If you're in a dull season, go out and do something a little different. Find a new experience. Life ain't over till it's over!
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