I remember one Friday night when our youngest son was two years-old. My husband was away on one of his trips with the Air National Guard. I wanted to treat our three boys to something special. So I offered to take them and their baby sister (who is now a “terrific two year-old”) to Walmart to buy a new movie that we all could stay up and watch instead of sticking to their usual bedtime routine.
This was a completely unusual thing for us to do. They were so excited. For an extra-special treat when we reached the checkout I told them they could pick out one candy to watch with the movie. They all agreed on M&M’s and so my three year-old handed my two year-old who was sitting in the shopping cart the bag of M&M’s.
As we began checking out my two month-old daughter, who was in a carrier on my chest, started to cry. I was trying to console her when suddenly my two year-old son let out a deafening scream because his three year-old brother had grabbed the M&M’s from his hands. I told my boys I would have to put the candy back if they continued to fight over it. My three year-old then proceeded to have a total meltdown over my threat to put the candy back.
Meanwhile, my five year-old son was trying to negotiate with me about how late he could stay up, obviously not phased amidst the chaos of his siblings. I had three children crying and one negotiating about bedtime, a cashier who was waiting on me to pay and a line of people behind us starting to cast looks.
At that moment a smile came to my face as something beautiful occured to me, “Whatever their thoughts, it does not matter. These are my kids and I love them. Sure they are having a bad moment, but I have seen them at their best.”
I paid and put all my stuff in the cart- leaving out the M&M’s. I knew what had to be done. Heading toward the door I told my children, “We just made a contribution to Walmart,” and I put the paid-for candy on a shelf and proceeded to walk out of the store.
Were they mad? Absolutely! But I felt a peace. They knew they didn’t deserve it. They soon settled down after we were in the parking lot and even apologized. I told them I forgave them. I rationalized that I spent $1.06 for a valuable lesson on appropriate behavior.
This week I am once again asking God to empower me with mercy and patience when dealing with our two year-old daughter and her tantrums. I am also thanking God for His mercy and patience when dealing with me and my tantrums.
I believe the way I saw my children at that checkout is the same way that God sees me and all His children. We are His. We have our bad moments and that is why His Son paid the price for our “inappropriate behavior.” We apologize and He forgives us. He loves us and He sees us at our best and that is what matters most.
“I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” Psalm 73:22-24
