Attack of the Squirrels

My friend Matt tells true stories that are unbelievable. For example, he once took a job as an exterminator. He found the job by reading an ad in the paper. His interview consisted of one question: can you catch rodents? Matt, being the hunter that he is, said "yes." He was then told to wait for a call for his first assignment.

A few days later he got a call. Without any training or equipment, Matt went to a house to get rid of a squirrel problem. The squirrels were in the attic. They had found a hole in the roof and had made themselves at home. Matt said there were dozens of them. So Matt, with his bare hands, tries to capture a squirrel. Somehow he catches one, but doesn't really think through his actions. Squirrels don't just cuddle up with you when you catch them. They squirm, bite, and act crazy. With all the commotion the squirrel was making, Matt lost track of his footing and took a step...a step through the ceiling. Luckily for him the attic was over the bedroom. Next thing you know Matt is laying on a stranger's bed and looking straight up at the ceiling. Well, the posse of squirrels must have thought that what Matt just did was fun because next thing you know it starts raining squirrels. Matt says that dozens of squirrels started pouring down onto him and onto this stranger's bed. Like I said it's a true story that is unbelievable.

Now when I first heard the story I laughed my face off. Once I settled down I started asking questions. Why would a company not give you a uniform or at least a weapon of mass destruction to take out an army of squirrels? Why wouldn't they make sure you were trained? What in the world did the woman say to Matt after she walked into her bedroom and saw him sprawled out on her bed, cuddled up with dozens of squirrels? Matt jumped into something without asking any questions. He was in over his head and chaos ensued. Needless to say Matt only worked one day for this company.

Now you might not be able to relate to Matt's squirrel story but I bet you can relate to jumping into something without asking any questions. I know I can.
Here are some areas where people jump into things and don't ask many questions:

• Dating.
• Marriage.
• Raising Kids.

Think about your dating life. Did you do any research on how to date? My guess is probably not. You just jumped in and try to figure it out, right?

What about marriage? I know many people who get engaged without getting premarital counseling, reading a book, or talking about which way the toilet paper should roll off the roll. Hey, that's really important.

Then there are kids. I think more people do research here when it deals with babies, but what about when your baby grows into a kid or a teenager?

I am notorious for jumping into situations and not asking questions. I've gotten in way over my head way too many times. But I did some research before I started dating, got married, or had kids. Here are some books that are great reads depending on what stage of life you are in.

Dating - 10 Commandments Of Dating by Ben Young.
Marriage - The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, and The Creative Marriage by Ed Young Jr.
Kids - Babywise by Gary Ezzo and Dr. Robert Bucknam, The Father Connection by Josh McDowell.

Whether it's going to rid an attic of squirrels, dating, getting married, or raising kids we should do some research before we get in over our head.

What books would you recommend for dating, marriage, or raising kids?