Summary: Kyle and his cousin Devon were having a great time on their afternoon hike at the state park when Kyle glanced at his watch "Wow! Look at the time!" he exclaimed. "We're going to be late getting back to our campsite." As the boys hurried down Coyote Trail, they met a park ranger. "Excuse me, sir. What's the quickest way from here to the campground?" Devon asked him. "Coyote Trail, which is the one you're on," the ranger replied. The boys moved quickly along, but suddenly Devon stopped. "Look!" he exclaimed, pointing down the hill. "There's our camp, but the trail goes all the way around those rocks ahead. Let's just cut across here so we won't be so late." "I don't know, Dev," responded Kyle doubtfully. "The ranger said this trail is the quickest way. And the signs say to stick to the trails--no exploring, remember?" "We're not exploring. Just taking a shortcut," replied Devon. Kyle stared at the camp down the hill. It does seem silly to go so far around, he thought, and I can't see why it would hurt if we leave the trail for a little way. "Okay," he agreed. "Let's try the shortcut." The boys were hurrying down the gentle slope when Devon stopped short. "Whoa!" he called. "What's this?" A deep crevice, almost hidden by thick brush, stretched across their path. A fence kept them from going closer to it. They had no choice but to climb back up and take the long way around. Devon and Kyle finally reached the campsite. Embarrassed, the boys explained why they were late getting back. "We were so close, but our shortcut only made the way longer," said Devon. "Yeah, and it's a good thing the fence was there, or we could have fallen into that huge ditch!" added Kyle. "I wish the ranger had told us about that. We didn't really see why we shouldn't leave the trail." "There are generally good reasons for instructions you're given," replied Dad. Mom nodded. "That's true at home and in school and here in the park, too," she said. "You don't need to always understand the reasons for what you're told to do. Your job is to obey. That's actually a command God gives." "That's right. And most important of all is listening and obeying when God says something," Dad added. "I hope you'll remember that." How About You? Do you sometimes disobey, thinking it will be better to do something your way, only to learn that there was a good reason for the directions you were given? Parents, teachers, and other authorities don't always fully explain the reasons for what they tell you to do. God doesn't, either, but you can trust His reasons even when you don't understand them. Don't forget . . . one of His instructions is to obey those who have authority over you. Today's Key Verse: Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work. (Titus 3:1) Today's Key Thought: Obey authority
