24 hours and a lifetime of difference
Day One: Driving through the parking lot of Costco, I noticed a young mother with two little girls making her way to her car. With mom pre-occupied handling a loaded shopping cart the smallest youngster strayed off the sidewalk, oblivious to traffic.
Suddenly realizing her little one was in danger the mom let loose with a shout that not only summoned the little girl to safety, but unfortunately also threatened her with physical harm if she didn’t respond immediately. The language was more like one would expect to hear on a construction site than in parenting a youngster, but giving mom the benefit of the doubt, I assumed it stemmed from a surge of fear for her little one’s safety.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the story. Parking my car, to my surprise the mother and little girls made their way to the car just opposite me. It wasn’t difficult to clearly hear each word as the mother let loose with an obscenity-laden tirade simply because neither of the youngsters managed to open a drink holder quickly enough to satisfy her impatience.
As the youngsters cowered in the back seat I couldn’t help but wonder, “If this is how they are treated in public, what happens at home?”
I know the situation I witnessed didn’t meet the threshold of involvement by Child Protection Services but I made a phone call anyway just in case they already had other complaints.
Day Two: I was pumping gas. Next to me in line was a young dad with his little girl. While he pumped gas his youngster proceeded to wash the rear window of his vehicle. She could barely reach and by the time she was done water was streaming everywhere, the window could barely be seen through all the smudge marks, it was a genuine mess. As Dad turned to look, his words could not have possibly been more different from those experienced on Day One. “Thanks Honey,” he said, “What a big help you are, let’s jump in and go now.”
I couldn’t help but wonder, “What does the future hold for each of the youngsters involved in my experiences?”
Those contrasting experiences have forced me to pay attention to my own interaction with people in the formative stages of life. It also caused me to realize the profound lesson taught by Jesus when His adult disciples were quick to dismiss youngsters so they wouldn’t bother Him. He called them out right on the spot.
One internet prayer site I visit regularly contained this prayer by Andy Raine. Combined with the experiences described above, it is a prayer I know I need to pray often, about my influence on people of all ages.
“I am not here to pass judgement or point the finger at anyone. My name was written in the sand as one who is forgiven. Strengthened with hope, impervious to shame, I will walk freely like the freshness of the dry lands after rain. Let light spill out of heaven through my life, dispelling mediocrity and silent blame. Too many people, guilt-stricken and wounded, walk in regret, feeling bad about failing, apologize even for breathing. Raw belief, a passion for others grows in me, encircling each moment with instinctive prayer. I will carry the freshness of the dry lands after rain. Compassion lives in me again.”
Tim Schroeder is pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna. This column ordinarily appears in Okanagan Weekend.