Usually the lessons I learn at Walmart are not lessons I want to learn. (see What Happens at Walmart Shouldn't) But once in a while I'm caught off guard. Like this time....
A while back I drove into Walmart's parking lot. When I opened my car door I heard a woman screaming the most insulting, heart-hurting, ear-burning language you can imagine. Expecting to see the boyfriend/husband she was abusing I turned to see a little boy probably 3-4 years old. The woman was mad at him for something and wanted him to get in the car while she loaded her groceries. He wasn't as fast as she'd wanted and she was letting him know what she thought of him because of it. Honestly, I got ticked and decided to give her a piece of my mind. How dare she talk to her child like that. Clearly he couldn't stand up for himself so I would. Someone had to stop her after all. I bet she wouldn't talk to her dog that way.
There were only a couple cars between us - I started marching toward her. I wanted to rip her vocal chords out and choke her with them. Just then, when I was still a car away an older gentleman approached her and said, "It looks like you're having a hard time. Please let me help you." He started to unload the rest of her groceries into the trunk and said, "Why don't you help that sweet little boy into the car, I'll finish this." Guess what her reply was? Absolutely nothing. She was speechless and so was I. And that state was much better (especially for the little boy) than how she'd have been if I'd have handled it my way. I realized that not only did he diffuse the situation between her and her little guy - she actually handled her son quietly and much better, but he taught me a lesson - and hopefully her, too.
If Christ was to witness the same situation I think he'd have handled it the same way as that gentleman. With love. Just like he did so many others. Humbled...lesson learned.
