Few know my entry into outdoor media and writing. While my industry influence isn’t as
extensive as some, my love of the field still runs deep. Many have heard that it all started with
one picture of one dog – “Doc.” Since, there have been hundreds of pictures; mostly of the
same dog. There is good reason for that, just as it is good reason he has commanded the field
in retrieving from blind to blind.

Last month on an equipment exchange, my good friend Barry (Doc’s owner) told me Doc had
developed blasto. It’s a terrible disease, and if you own a gun dog you need to know what it is
and what the warning signs are. Unprepared and uneducated, you might find yourself in a
heartbroken and irreversible place. To advance the story, the disease made a decision
necessary to remove one of my furry friend’s eyes. Since, thankfully, Doc is recovering well.
The reason I recount this tale is that it is; 1) very close and real to me 2) it makes me pause and
address tough issues in life. Maybe it’s a close companion, maybe a family member, maybe a
physical need in life. When Jesus spoke in parable regarding building the house on the rock
(Matthew 7), he never insinuated that the rain and the storms might strike. No, they came and
the storms of life will come.

The book of Job is another great example of suffering. Job, whose entire business empire,
family, and health was struck, experienced tremendous suffering and pain. Many have been
here. Searing loss for many is fresh, and easily recalled on. While Job experienced restoration
at the end of the story, there was a point at which all he could do was rely on God’s
sovereignty. Just as God is sovereign over the cosmos – so he is over each of our lives. This is
where we land sometimes, in the storm – often with a lot of questions and uncertainty, but not
without hope.

By nature, the fowler is a planner; meticulous and attentive to detail. Blinds, spreads, camo,
shot patterns, wind direction, and etc. are all things we try to plan for and anticipate the best.
Often, as with life situations, we are not left with the best but with loss. Like the metaphorical
storm in the passage of Matthew 7, we find ourselves in the storm. Like the man in the
parable, and like Job, we can only be driven to God’s sovereignty and the promise of Christ; our
rock. Sometimes, when the storm hits we find ourselves feeling quite hopeless. All of our
planning and all of our anticipation is left in ruin. Life feels like it is out of control. Like Job, we
have to remember that there is only one who is in control; God. He is not only in control, but
knows our need and desires to remind us of the hope we have in him. While I am very thankful
my buddy Doc is on the mend, I am reminded to consider where I place my hope. A man might
not build a duckblind on a rock, but I pray that everyone would place their life on the rock,
Jesus Christ.

- Jonathan Brazell