Issue 995 – Constant Companions – March 1, 2023

I knew an old-timer Metis man who had spent many years in the bush that I have probably written about before. I will call him Charlie. He is the closest person I have ever met to an old-time mountain man.

Charlie was a crusty old character. I am sure he wore the same pair of bib overalls and shirt every day. Charlie swore he could out walk, talk, fight, cuss and work everyone he ever met. He could build a fire out of almost nothing, and his skills as a fisherman and hunter were the stuff of legend.

I don’t know if he had ever been married, but I don’t recall him ever speaking of a wife. Some said he had been, but she died; others swore a fickle girlfriend had broken his heart, and he never dated again. I never brought the subject up; if you wanted tall tales or practical advice about survival in the bush, he would gladly talk about those topics. Anything more personal was off-limits.

Charlie had been a hunter, fisherman, trapper, logger, and prospector at various times. His varied vocations usually kept him miles from civilization, often alone. Over the years, there were many occasions when Charlie had to depend on his wits and survival skills to survive.

Charlie had walked away from more than one bush plane crash. He once walked more than 200 miles through the virgin forest after a lightning bolt left him without a usable canoe.

I asked him once if he had ever been lost in the bush. He said, “No,” then smiled and said, “but there were times that I didn’t know exactly where I was for a day or two.”

There were several things Charlie never left home without. Charlie carried a roll of brass snare wire, a sharp pocketknife and a hunting knife in a sheath on his belt. In his pockets were a couple of bandannas, numerous boxes of waterproof matches, a small candle, a compass and a tin of sardines. He kept some fishing line, flies, and simple hooks in an old breath mint can. Lastly, he carried a battered, old Winchester lever action .22 with at least a box of ammunition. To keep the police happy, he never had it in town, but it went everywhere else with him.

There was always plenty of gear besides those things, but Charlie told me he felt naked in the bush without those constant companions. He believed in being prepared; more than once, it had made the difference between living and dying for him.

I feel that Charlie and King David would have gotten along well. David knew what it was like to be out there and alone for long periods. They would have differed in one area. I do not remember Charlie ever once mentioning the Lord unless it was as an expletive.

David travelled with constant companions as well. He had a sling, a staff and undoubtedly a knife of some form. 

King David also had an even more powerful companion. David seldom travelled very far without keeping the Lord close at hand. There were times when David drifted, but he always found the Lord close at hand when he looked for Him.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,

nor are there any works like yours.

All the nations you have made shall come

and worship before you, O Lord,

and shall glorify your name.

For you are great and do wondrous things;

you alone are God.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

that I may walk in your truth;

unite my heart to fear your name.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,

and I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead. Psalm 86:8-13

Be sure to carry some survival gear outdoors, but the Lord is the best companion you can have on any journey. Until next time, make sure He goes with you.

Be Blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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