Predators in the Tall Grass
Years ago my family and I visited the magnificent wild animal preserve known as the Serengeti in Tanzania. It had rained all day and we eventually came to a stretch of road that was almost impassable. We were faced with a choice between two muddy paths but had no idea which to take. If we went the wrong way and became stuck, we would have spent the night there without food, water, or bathroom facilities. At that point, our 17-year-old son, Ryan, volunteered to help.
"I'll run ahead and look at the two roads," he said. "Then I'll wave to let you know which way to go."
The missionary who was with us said, "Uhm, Ryan, I don't think that is a very good idea. You just don't know what might be out there in the tall grass."
Eventually we chose what looked like the best path and were able to get through. But when we reached the place where the two trails came together, a huge male lion was crouched in the grass off to one side. He rolled his big yellow eyes and dared us to take him on. Ryan looked at that lion and agreed that it might be best to stay in the car!
In a manner of speaking, our experience on the Serengeti illustrates the passage from late adolescence to young adulthood. The journey goes smoothly and safely for some individuals. But a surprisingly large number of teens encounter unexpected "mudholes" that trap and hold them at an immature stage of development. Still others are plagued by dangerous predators. Among these are an addiction to alcohol or drugs, marriage to the wrong person, failure to achieve a coveted dream, suicide, homicide or other criminal offenses.
It is, alas, very easy to make a very big mistake when young. Given the predators lurking in the tall grass, it does behoove us parents to stay very close to our sons and daughters on the road to adulthood.
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