A Walmart Revelation

Who has ever been victimized by your toddler in Walmart? Today was our day.

We went to Walmart with our eyes on the prize, half-priced Halloween costumes.
I knew my superhero-loving, saving-the-day son would just love one.

He picked Ironman and went on our way…until he stomped on the low metal shelves, touched all things, and pressed all buttons. I gave the old, “Do it again and I’m not getting the costume.”

You can guess…he did it again. I kindly passed the costume off to a worker…
and *cue ridiculous meltdown*

I kept my cool, by the grace of the Lord, and we made it out alive.

On the way home, my mind wandered.
Why? Why does it get to that point?

I had a Walmart Revelation, y’all:

1. He was willing to act ridiculous because he felt he was wronged.

Isn’t that true? We raise heck, storm the field, and turn keyboard warrior when we feel wronged. We tend to seek unreasonable revenge in the name of getting what is “right.”

Proverbs 15:18 refutes, Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.

1 Peter 3:9 says, Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.
|Instead, pay them back with a blessing.

I’m gonna leave it at that.

2. He was willing to get a little wild because I withheld what he wanted.

He has his heart set on Ironman.
I had the power to deliver, but I didn’t.
He saw that dynamic and grew defiant in his desperation.

I can think of seasons where I so badly wanted something. A spouse. A different job. An answer. And in order to get it, I was defiant. I disobeyed what God had already instructed me to do. I tried getting what I wanted my own way.

3. God wants to give us good gifts.

I wanted to get the Ironman. I almost caved and did. But I instructed my son to walk in my way, and he chose not to. It hurt my heart to not get the good gift, but I had to stick to my word. Are you seeing it?

God also longs to lavish us with His good gifts, but we have to obey and walk in His way.

James 1:17 assures us, Every good and perfect gift is from above.

And right after he tells of His good gifts, He reminds us: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

So, instead of Walmart meltdowns,
let’s honor God, trust His way,
and acknowledge every gift