The older I get, the more I appreciate something that many of us take for granted—the simple gift of life.
During my morning prayer time the other day, I found myself thanking the Lord for exactly that. Just the gift of being here. The gift of another day. Life itself is truly an adventure.
Now, that adventure comes with ups and downs. That’s just the way life works.
We all deal with challenges. Financial issues show up. Health concerns arise. Relationships get tested. Those things happen to every one of us at some point. None of us are going to completely escape them. That’s simply part of the journey we’re on.
But when I step back and look at the bigger picture, I realize how blessed I’ve been.
When I think about the past, I thank God for it. There have been so many good things along the way—friends, family, fishing partners, and people who have been part of this incredible ride. So many experiences that have shaped my life and filled it with meaning.
Yet I’ve learned something important over the years.
I try not to spend too much time living in the past.
The past is the past. Whether it was good or bad, it’s already happened. What matters most is what we do today—and how that impacts tomorrow.
Think about this for a moment.
How many decisions do you think you make in a single day?
It’s actually pretty incredible. On average, researchers estimate that we make about 35,000 decisions every day. Think about that for a second. What to drink. Where to go. What to eat for lunch. What to say. What to do next. Thousands upon thousands of little choices, every single day.
But some decisions matter more than others.
The decisions we make today can shape tomorrow. They affect next week, next year—even the direction of our lives years down the road.
That’s why I try to keep my focus forward.
Life is an adventure, and I truly believe that God has a plan for every single one of us. We may not always understand that plan right away, but it’s there.
And if you’re struggling to figure out what that plan might be, there’s one place to start.
Prayer.
Take some time. Get quiet. Talk to the Lord. Ask for guidance and clarity.
But here’s something important to remember when you do.
Sometimes the answers you receive may require change. They might ask something of you that’s uncomfortable. You might be called to make a lifestyle adjustment or head in a new direction.
And sometimes those answers aren’t easy.
But they’re always worth listening to.
Because life truly is a gift.
And it’s an adventure meant to be lived fully—with faith, gratitude, and a willingness to move forward.
From all of us here at The Edge, I want to wish you a great fishing season.
We’ll see you out on the water. 🎣
If you’d like, I can also turn this into:
- an Angling Edge Buzz newsletter version
- a short TV closing commentary script
- or an SEO-optimized blog version for AnglingBuzz.com.