My Little Tiger Cub

Well, we've begun a new phase in our journey. J came home from school with a flyer about the Boy Scouts of America. He was all excited and ready to join. After a brief question and answer period- me questioning, J answering - I discovered that a representative of the BSA was at school giving out little tidbits to tantalize the boys. It seems there were promises of learning to shoot a BB gun, trips to a NASCAR race (we live within a few miles of a very popular track), fishing and camping. O.K.! All those things are good and healthy for a growing boy. Truth is, we've already done all those things with him. So, I dug a little deeper and asked J if he understood that those things would happen, but that there were other parts to being a boy scout that were just as important. He said, "yes." I have my doubts. I also informed him that there would be weekly meetings that he would be required to attend. Again, he said, "yes." And again, I have my doubts. So, we let it rest.
So, at the appointed time, we headed off to the "get to know you" meeting. There were three other boys there (with parents, of course) that J knows, either from school or church. I was happy about that - at least he could be comfortable with a few familiar faces. And, much to my very happy surprise, the cubmaster is a lovely gentleman that we know from a neighboring church. So, I was beginning to feel more at ease and actually thinking, this is going to be good. You see, my hesitation in all this is because, until this stage of life, J has not been a joiner. He has always preferred to fly solo. Sadly, his mother was the same way at that age - praise the Lord He brought me out of that or I be a very lonely girl about now.
Anyhoo - after learning a few details about the scouts, J joined up. Yep, he is ready to give it a try. The real beauty is that by signing up now, we are only obligated to December. Dues are prorated, so they will be due again in January if J decides to stay a member. We are not yet required to purchase a uniform and there will be a fundraiser so that each boy has the chance to earn a uniform. That's really nice.
I'm very proud of J for stepping out of his box in this manner. It may not sound like much to anyone else, but for J, it is a great thing. Actually, this is a real live answer to prayer. I have prayed over J for a long time that he would not be like me. As a child, I was so afraid to step out and do things. I was afraid of failure, of ridicule, just afraid. I don't want J to be that way - I don't want him to grow up and look back with regret. I missed out on so much because of fear, I desperately do not want that for my boy. So, I took it to God - and He answered. I just love it when He does that. I would have never guessed the boy scouts to be the answer - but, hey, it works for me.
So, off we go into the boy scout blue yonder. I think it is going to be quite an adventure - with many blessings attached. Thank you, Lord.