I purposefully chose gullible over stupid. As the youngest of three boys it was always fun (insert dripping sarcasm here) being the brunt of my older (by six and four years) brothers' jokes and pranks. Add my older cousins to the mix on their annual summer and/or Christmas trips and you get the picture.
Don't get me wrong, nothing was ever evil or malicious, with the possible exception of the quarter that had been heated up on the gas stove moments prior to being offered to me as it laid smoldering hot on the stove top. Of course I greedily snatched it up in the blink of an eye and screamed bloody murder as it gave me a second degree burn in the palm of my hand. Just kids having fun, right?!
All of this served me well in my Marine Corps and Bureau years. I became an excellent investigator, trained to be cautious, suspicious, and thorough in checking out everyone and everything before taking a particular course of action. I never solved the Case of the Heated Quarter though. All the suspects pointed to each other and no one copped to the crime.
I wouldn't trade anything for my childhood, my brothers, or my cousins. I love them all and I do have one thing special going for me... I am the youngest!
Matthew 10:16 (NLT) - "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and as harmless as doves."