..with the whiny child in the Walmart checkout line. You know what I am talking about, the child whines and fusses until they get the only thing they've ever wanted and needed so badly in life...and for Gentry, today it was this...
...a stupid Disney Princess cell phone. For one, she has no idea who the Disney Princesses are and secondly, it plays a really cheesy version of "Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee..." at quadruple speed.
So, I will blame 86.2% of this on Walmart for putting things like this in their checkout isles (yes, Walmart, I know what you are up to, and lucky you, today I fell for it), 12.4% on Gentry's sinful, world-desiring nature (Yep, even at the age of 2.5), and the remaining 100% on my inability to care that I was "that mom, with that child" today. I admit, that sometimes it's just easier not to care. Easier to pay the $3 and avoid any and all tantrums that occur by, heaven forbid, making Gentry put the piece of lead-painted plastic back on the shelf.
So was I a failure today? After reflecting on it, I think not.
I think today I had some self-realization and the opportunity to grow in some areas:
1. My desire is to teach my daughter, just one of many biblical characteristics, self-control. We don't always get what we want, and it's not OK to throw a fit about it. (Ouch, my husband could attest to that about me!)
2. Although material things can be fun and satisfying for a time, they will always FAIL us. (How often have I needed the "latest and greatest")
3. Are my actions a testament to the faith I have in Jesus (specifically in this case to my children)? This is much deeper than satisfying a silly need at Walmart. But something to reflect on daily.
This verse sums it up:
Galatians 6:9
"Do not let us become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
My "harvest" being Godly children who love the Lord and display it in their daily lives. Not the easiest seed to sow!
1 comment:
Good post! We had one of those phones in the church nursery back in the day and I understand.
And, in my years here in Lawrence as a graduate student, I have come to rely on Wal Mart for a biweekly paycheck, and you are quite correct that they know what they are doing. In fact, the area around the checkout stands is what we refer to as the "impulse buy" area.
Yay for you being a good mommy who is always trying to grow!
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