R.A.D.I.C.A.L. Thoughts

"Be prepared."
The Boy Scouts' motto

My younger brother made me write this blog. I've been robbed twice in the last couple of months. On one of those occasions, the young man tried to force me at knife-point into the car. In our city last week a 17-year old girl was kidnapped from a shopping center parking lot and murdered in a remote area. On Sunday, I was driving to Wichita for my Dad's 88th birthday, and as usual I called my brother who lives in Wichita to tell him when I got on the road. I also happened to mention that I thought I had more gas than I did, and I wasn't sure if I would make it to the next service station. He was not happy with me. "That's great! What were you thinking?" he asked ... a little joking and a little frustrated. Of course, it was a dumb thing I did, but he reassured me he would get help if I ran out of gas in the middle of the Kansas Flint Hills, and to keep my phone handy. We had just had my older brother's funeral two weeks ago, and I could tell there was a little edginess in this brother's voice that made me sorry I was making him worry about me. He wants me to remind anyone reading this blog to be careful. Be alert. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't take unnecessary chances when you are alone. Have someone to call when you leave somewhere and when you get to your destination. We all feel sort of like sheep in the midst of wolves" sometimes. But at least we can make a common sense effort to be prepared and to take smart precautions. Fill up your gas tank. Check your oil and make sure there is air in your tires. Then call someone to let them know when to expect you.

"I am sending you out as sheep among wolves, so be as wary as serpents and as innocent as doves."
Matthew 10:16 (LB)