Lost in Walmart

"Attention Walmart customers. Would customer Julie please come to the dressing room area?  Kendall will be waiting for you."


As you might already imagine, this was NOT one of my most stellar parenting moments.  Just minutes earlier, I had come across a huge clearance sale on several items and I wanted to look through them.  The boys grew impatient as we were at the store for a birthday gift for a friend originally.  So, Caleb asked if he could go to the toys area with his younger brothers since he had his phone, and he would be responsible for Kendall.  Caleb has really grown in maturity in this area and I agreed to his offer.  Shortly later, Caleb returned with Kendall who wanted to convince me that the toy he found for himself would be a good purchase.  When I did not agree with that, Caleb went to return the toy and Kendall -in anger- ran off.  Before I knew it, he was lost....


I searched through all the areas close to me and still did not find him.  The only thing I could think of was that he wanted that toy, and I quickly headed to  that section of the store where the older boys helped me search, but no Kendall.  My panic was nearly to capacity when I heard the announcement calling my name and that Kendall had been found.  I was relieved, desperately so- and more than a little irritated.


When I arrived at the designated pick-up area, I expected... nay, wanted to see a frightened little boy.  I wanted him to feel the depth of fear I had felt in that moment.  However, that was not what I found.  He was calm and happy.  The sales assistant couldn't get over how un-upset he had been.  He gave them all the needed information- my name is Kendall Boles and my mother is Julie Boles.  No fear.  No tears.  No anxiety. 


After I thoroughly hugged, kissed, and chastised him for running off, I asked him if he had been frightened.  "No," he responded, "I knew you would come get me."  Ugh!  Really!?!?  I was shaking, and he had no fear!  Later, as I processed this (and confessed all this to Reagan) (and Facebook) the Lord helped me to see two things:


First, he knew who he belonged to... and he knew his name.  Friend, sometimes I forget who I belong to- do you?  I am a child of the ONE TRUE KING!  I am His precious redeemed daughter.  His name is branded on my soul and I have taken His name--- CHRISTian.  He is my precious Father.  Why do I fret when the storms of life threaten?  Why do I cower in fear of the unknown?  Whom do I have to fear?  Oh, that I could know- truly, deeply, bone-marrow deep that I am His chosen child.... how different would my life look?


Second, Kendall knew me so well that there was no fear of my not coming to find him.  He rested in that knowledge.  Oh precious friend, if I just knew my Savior that well..... Sure, we all say that He is ever faithful, but when we are the ones being tossed about in the midst of the winds of change, conflict, and difficulty... are we as confident?  Sometimes we just need to be reminded of His faithfulness in the past to rest in His presence in the midst of an uncertain future.  His faithfulness endures and He never fails us!  I want to know Him that intimately.  How about  you?




Let that be the cry of our heart today- that we might know to whom we belong so intimately that all fear and anxiety is abated.  We can rest in HIM!!! 


Blessings!