The term WALKABOUT was made famous from the movie Crocodile Dundee! Background: Australian: A journey through the wilderness of one’s choosing in an effort to satisfy one’s itchy feet, a need to be elsewhere, the craving for the open road, that space over the horizon… you can’t quite touch it so you have to go find it because it’s you just know it’s there..WALKABOUT. The word JOURNEY is used 1592 times in the Bible KJV. I wonder if Australian Bibles have the word walkabout for the equivalent of journey!
[Tweet “Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” Gen. 3:17”]
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As I’m closing out this Treasure Hunt Series for now, I want to share with you an exciting (I’m not sure that’s the right adjective LOL) journey Bethany is taking- and of course as her mom, I get to go with her :). This birthday marks her 12th year in our family!
While it’s been quite an adventure so far, she’s entering into “Tween-land” (the years between child and adult- the “between years”, adolescence) and that promises to be the most amazing journey of all. 😉 To be sure I’m up to speed my nights are spent reading and highlighting treasure tips from the book- “Teaching Children with Downs Syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality.” WhooHoo! I’ll let you know how it ends. 😉
Every person takes this journey of Adolescence when their hormones and body activate the inevitable, God-ordained passage into adulthood! While this Walkabout is exhilarating it can be confusing, devastating, or perhaps “creepy” (which is Bethany’s favorite new word to use.) I’ve walked with six typical children through this stormy stage and I’m telling you any stage in a child with special needs is a horse of a different color!
[Tweet “People with #specialneeds are more like you than different. #normal”]
I know Bethany has begun her “Walkabout” in earnest, not only because of physical changes, but there are emotional melt downs, outburst of tears about anything and everything, and uncharacteristic attitudes complete with eye rolling that can only be attributed to “the teenage years!” Add her momma’s hot flashes and “melt” downs and it makes an interesting environment! 🙂 WHY? is the operative word as I explain all the hormonal, emotional changes right now!
Because I believe God has created us to grow and mature, the last line of the definition of walkabout resonated with me.
“you can’t quite touch it so you have to go find it because you just know it’s there.”
Isn’t that the epitome of LIFE? Don’t we all have that undefined “itch” to grow and explore what’s up ahead? We are propelled forward by a God given desire to SEEK and UNDERSTAND. You know something is waiting but you can’t comprehend everything ahead so you have to “walkabout” a bit – explore- to stretch into a new stage- to increase in wisdom and insight!
[Tweet “This world is not our #home- our #walkabout is a #journey to find #God.”]
Maybe our life on earth is one big Walkabout or Journey. Yes, it can be scary and overwhelming! It can make us cry or have melt downs or even half crazy! But to stay the same means to become stagnant or even die! Even more tragic would be to remain in infancy our whole life.
So- here we go – ready or not. Bethany is taking our whole family on a Walkabout I’m sure we’ll never forget. And I’m asking Jesus to go on it with us- we need all the Expert Help we can get! 🙂
As I sat Beth down the other day and began telling her about her body and hormones, the need for deodorant, and even venturing into the topic of “becoming a woman” one day! (I hope those talks about privacy and appropriate conversation with friends have sunk in- regardless, she needs to know what lies ahead 😉 )
Wide-eyed, she looked at me, nodding solemnly.
Suddenly, her whole face lit up! “When do I get to start? I can’t wait grow up!”
I hugged her and said, “You’re already doing it. We just taking it one day at a time!”
[Tweet “Every #day is a #gift of #growing, #knowing, and #loving. #GodsPlan”]
Surprising Treasures: Jesus took His first walkabout when He entered adolescence at 12- His parents couldn’t find Him while He was busy teaching and astounding the “teachers of the law.” Jesus knows about WALKABOUTS!
That is quite an inspiring bit of info for those who have not walked that path yet. I know Beth is waiting for each new chapter of her life and you are so fortunate to be able to walk with her as she discovers her new adventures. I am sure she will keep you quite busy with her inquisitive mind. But you will handle that just like you do everything else. With God’s help for your guidance and your insight you will do just fine. I am getting excited for you both.
Happy trails to you both 🙂
Yes- she is wanting to “skip” chapters to get to the grown up life! LOL It’s a strange mix, getting my mind synched to really see Bethany! On one hand, she’s my “little” girl who seems more like 8 or 9,that I want to shelter and protect and just enjoy her being little. On the other hand, I need to find a way to help her stretch and grow so she can learn to become mature! Happy Trails is right 🙂
At every stage of Bethany’s walkabout through life I have concluded that with “normal” children (whatever that means) we leave far too many things to chance. Beth’s walkabout daily reminds me of the need to be deliberate and intentional. Nothing comes as naturally as we may think and much of what comes naturally for all us is wrong. :-)). We are all broken image bearers. Restoration of His image requires engaged deliberation!
Ohhh that’s good! I wish I would of thought of that :). Too many of our “walkabouts” are without direction or intentionality! I agree- Bethie has taught me HOW much there is to teach!!! hugs
“Amen!” to all the above insights – “Walkabout” is like that sweet-mystery-of-life yearning wanderlust that “afflicted” me even as a preschool child, “chomping at the bit” like Bethany to grow up. The glorous answer for me: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light….” we are under the protection of the blood of Jesus. What a relief for a parent’s heart to know God has it all covered, even if we overlook something essential! 🙂 How I love you, Cindy, and what you are able to put into words to touch my heart!
Love ya right back and to infinity Edy- You said it- “If we walk in the Light” our walkabouts have to be Light Driven and a quest for what He has for us- not restless wandering- discontented searching- As parents how much better to encourage LIGHT filled Walkabouts so they don’t explore the dark places of this world!