You might be a Boy Scout if
You keep a bucket of water close by whenever you are cooking – even if you are cooking in your kitchen at home.
You see a pile of rocks and immediately put them in a circle.
You tie up your little brother – and he can’t get loose!
You always sleep under a trash bag.
You carry your own toilet paper with you wherever you go.

     Tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Boy Scouts of America.  A man named William D. Boyce had spearheaded the campaign to do this after he had become aware of a similar movement in England.  Scouting in that country had taken off due to the work of one Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, a decorated Colonel of the Boer Wars in South Africa.  Through the Colonel’s efforts, the movement had spread into many other parts of the world and in 1920 he convened a World Scout Jamboree in London.  At that event, the Colonel was hailed by the scouts as “The Chief Scout of the World”, a title that is still associated with him today.

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     In 2008, the Boy Scouts of America had more than 2 million members, more than 1 million adult volunteers, and more than 120,000 units.  Many famous men were once scouts, including Hank Aaron, H. Ross Perot, Steve Spielberg, Neil Armstrong and, not surprisingly, Jim Rogers, who is currently the CEO of KOA (Kampgrounds of America).  John F. Kennedy was the first former scout to become President of the U.S, and Gerald Ford was the first Eagle Scout to attain that office.
    I was never a Girl Scout but I was, for three years, a den mother when my son was a Cub Scout.   I hope the boys in my group had as much fun as I had.  We did all kinds of special projects and learned about being good and responsible citizens.  One of the most fun things we did was the Pinewood Derby, where each boy made a small car out of very basic materials and then we raced then on a special track.  The boys really looked forward to this event every year.  It was apparent that many of the fathers did as well because there was no doubt that some of the boys had had extensive help on building their cars – especially when the cars came back looking like miniature Nascar contenders.    My son actually went all the way to Webelos and then basketball got in the way and that
was that.  I always regretted that it happened that way because I came to know the scouting program as a truly positive thing  in the life of boys of all ages.
    Not only did I have fun as a den mother, I learned a lot too, especially about small boys.  Some of my boys were from very affluent families and pretty much got anything they wanted.  Others were much less affluent and I knew that for their parents every dime was important.  I did have a couple of wonderful benefactors who were willing to

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contribute extra money for projects and trips and such so that all the boys, even those who couldn’t really afford it, could participate.  I learned to relate to each of the boys as an individual and not always as a member of the den.  And I had the opportunity to see them grow and mature during my time with them.
        But perhaps the one thing that I learned while a den mother was a true appreciation for the scouting program and the things that it stands for.  For instance, I was always excited that the program encouraged the boys to try new things, perhaps even things that they were afraid to try.  We would talk about the badges that were available for various activities and projects and sometimes one of the boys would be unsure whether or not they could do this new thing try this thing or that thing.  In the case of my own son, he was afraid of water in his early years after falling into the deep end of a pool while our family was visiting with friends one summer.  He was scooped up immediately and brought of the water but after that he didn’t want to get into the water at all.  Through scouting and the promise of a nifty badge or two, he began to try swimming again and soon mastered it.  In fact, he went on to take lifesaving courses. 
     A second part of this story is that through scouting the boys learned not only how to do new things but how to do them in the correct way so they would not endanger themselves or others.  “Any old way” would not do – that was a hard lesson for some of my boys.
    
      

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     Life, of course, is full of risks.  Sometimes we all have to gather our courage and step out to do things that we are fearful of doing.  It becomes important to be able to make changes, whether it be in our employment, our education, our family life, or countless other things.  It is good to have support when these occasions rise – it makes it easier to do the things we are unsure of when we have someone next to us who “has our back”.
    The scripture that Brett read for us from the Gospel of Matthew is one of the best examples we have of someone literally taking a step to do something he was afraid to do.  In this case, Peter was actually going to do something that we would consider more than just courageous  - it was downright miraculous.  To walk on water – and during a raging storm, no less!  When Peter saw Jesus walking toward the boat on top of the water with the waves crashing around him, Peter impulsively (as usual) decided that he wanted to do the same thing.  Perhaps he didn’t even really take the time to think what he was about to do – maybe that’s one of the reasons why he got out of the boat in the first place.
He also knew that Jesus would help him and as long as he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, he was able to walk forward.  But when he eventually looked to the side and took his eyes from Jesus’ face, he saw just what he was doing and how terribly frightening it was – and then his fear took over and he began to sink.  Jesus reached out and took his hand and they climbed into the boat together.  Jesus chastised Peter for not believing as strongly as he should have that Jesus would not let him drown; Jesus would be there to save and protect him.  Peter took the risk and overcame his fear for a little while until he broke

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contact with the source of his strength and courage – Jesus – and then the reality of the situation overwhelmed him. 
    People like den mothers and scout masters and others who work with the boys in the scouting program are the ones who are giving that support and encouragement to those in the groups.  They are working, along with parents and grandparents and teachers and coaches, pastors, and other friends and family members, to help these young men find the right path and stay on it.  They give of themselves tirelessly as they work with these boys to help bring them to manhood.
    The same idea can be applied to the Christian church.  We don’t do our best to serve God if we are always worrying about playing it safe.  Sometimes we have to take a risk, step out of our comfort zone.  I know that’s a phrase that people tend to use a lot these days and it always makes me think of Peter stepping out of that boat to walk on the
tossing waves.  He sure had to step out of his comfort zone, that’s for sure!  And at times the church is called to exhibit the same kind of bravery.  And, as we also learn from
Peter, if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus , we will be able to weather any storm that comes our way.  It is only when we forget our primary mission, to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, that we come close to sinking in fear.
     In closing, here are some sure signs that you are in a bad Boy Scout Troop:
1. Every year, you have to put on a skirt and go door-to-door selling cookies.
2. You are told to help old ladies across the street – even if they don’t walk to go across the street.

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3. You get a merit badge for knowing how to break into homes.
4. No one ever challenges you to try something new, something different, something you are afraid of, something that can help you to grow and develop as a person.
By the way, #4 also applies to churches.