Quiet, patient, focused, persistent...just a few words that SHOULD describe what a perfect scouting trip might look like. However, with four kids our trips usually can be described with words more like, noisy, restless, distracted, not exactly actions that assist us in gathering information about our potential prey. Instead it usually leads to everything but the desired outcome. (I will say that we do usually have fun with the kids, which in my mind is what it is all about.) When looking up "scouting" in the Thesaurus I came upon an interesting list of synonyms. It said, "search, look, hunt, ferret about, root around". As I contemplated those terms they brought to mind our girls and how uniquely each one encounters life. I realized that each of these terms describe them in their own unique way. Lainie, our oldest daughter, is a "hunter". She is determined, has a plan and needs to know what the plan is. Hali, our second daughter, tends to "ferret about". She is a free spirit, creative and imaginative. Reegan, our third daughter, is on a "search". Always looking for trouble and usually getting into it. And Gracyn our fourth daughter is...well...let's just say "rooting around" at this point! Each one looks at life and takes it all in through a different perspective.
Many times in my own devotional life, I find myself taking "scouting trips" that are too often similar to the ones with our girls: noisy, restless, distracted. However, Psalms 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God" and Isaiah 30:15 states, "in quietness and in trust shall be your strength". I am finding that I need to remind myself daily what kind of a journey I am on. Because no matter how I encounter life, I need to encounter my time with God in one way, like a successful "scouting trip": quiet, patient, focused and persistent. And my "scout" will help to lead me on a successful journey through life.
