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TX Rancher wrote: What I can do is balance risk against living my life. To me, that’s taking reasonable precautions that don’t have unacceptable impacts on my lifestyle and who I am. I err on the side of living my life, not on the side of avoiding my life.

Very well put.

I probably partake in more risky behavior than I should, but I don't believe in locking myself in the house simply because there are evil people in the world.

I don't pick up hitchhikers or stop for stranded motorists. If I see a stranded motorist, I call 911 and report it. LEOs are trained to deal with situations, and their presence would probably put decent people down-on-their-luck at ease. They also know the best way to fix the situation--I don't.

Dh & I occasionally go out with friends to the club district in downtown Houston to share Jesus with the party-folk. We generally stake out corners/areas in front of clubs and we stay in groups. We do meet up with a lot of homeless folk; they're usually the most intersted in talking to us since they don't have much going for them. We make it our policy not to give money, but several of us carry food items. One guy brings an ice chest with sandwiches & bottled water. We send them his way if they're hankering for something more than a pack of cheese crackers.

I keep my gun handy on such outings. I'm also more watchful than normal, especially given our surroundings.

I also deliver Angel Food to the elderly and shut-ins once a month. Three of my stops are at apartment homes. One in particular is in a bad part of town and known for its crime. I just keep my gun handy. I've made the decision that if I'm bothered, I drop the box while drawing the gun.

I won't quit living. I'll do what I can for myself, and trust God to do what I can't.