“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for Yesterday I entrusted my son to another person’s care. (In order to protect all innocent I need to be vague but I believe I can still get my point across.) Both of my son’s are of the age of being self-sufficient but as statistics show they are still vulnerable to the predator’s snare. I was not entrusting my son to someone whom I felt any need for caution or vigilance but there was someone who has been in the same proximity that has caused my intuition to stir. In prayer that morning I broke apart this intuition. The person in question hadn’t done anything or said anything to make me assume I should use caution… in fact the person in question is quite enjoyable, funny… but maybe a little too nice? Maybe taking a little too much interest in my son? That’s where I get cautious. Unfortunately, the person in question has characteristics that remind me of someone else in my life who was a predator. I decided to casually mention something to my son. I said, “You know ‘so and so’, they are nice but you know not to go off alone with anyone, right?” He instantly knew what I as referring to because I’ve often warned of ‘stranger danger’ and well, they are old enough to watch the news with me…they’ve followed the Sandusky trial as well. “Mom!” he exclaimed, offended. “Not everyone is like that!” “I know, I know,” I interjected. “I’m not saying they are, I’m just talking about it so you know what to do if you get in a tough situation. I’m not saying that they aren’t trustworthy…I just feel it’s important to bring it up to remind you if someone ever suggests doing something or even says something that doesn’t seem ‘right’ then think about this conversation and tell me about it. ” Before long both boys were chiding me about being overly cautious…and for a second I felt bad. For a second. Regardless if I was being ‘too cautious’ or not the conversation was still had and my boys won’t be caught off guard IF someone were to try to lure them in with inappropriate ways. Does it protect them 100%? No, unfortunately not, but even though the conversation is uncomfortable it is knowledge. Then this morning I’m listening to the news and hear about the latest on the Boy Scout molestation scandal. It was confirmation that we can never be too ‘sober and vigilant’ of the prowling lion. One good thing about hearing of all of these scandals coming to light is that they are being talked about. And that is something all abuse survivors need to feel comfortable doing – talking. The more that is said the more cautious and vigilant others will be. Blessings Shannon 
[someone] to devour.Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9