Heidi has decided that she is officially finished shopping. She is ready to go home. I am too. Can't really blame her. She starts out with a whine and then quickly escalates to screaming, stomping and squawking. At first I calmly ask her to stop. (Funny, right?) My frustration escalates just as quickly as her's. I offer candy to distract her. Not working. Without warning my voice takes an unpleasant (and unloving) tone and she snaps to attention.
The young mother, with an angelic newborn sleeping soundly in her cart, rolls by. I know what she's thinking. What a horrible mother. I will never speak to my child that way. Poor kid.
I hold back the tears. I want to stomp over and tell her a thing or two. You have no idea what kind of day I've had today. I'm exhausted physically and mentally. YOU have NO idea what I've been through today. How dare she judge me when she knows nothing, nothing of my story.
A few days later I sit in the pediatrician's waiting room with Heidi.
In walks a mother with 3 kids running in behind her. I notice that they aren't wearing coats on this chilly winter morning. They are loud, disrespectful and completely void of any obvious discipline or structure. They run past my freshly bathed, Gap wearing little princess and nearly knock her over.
I roll my eyes, and turn my attention to her ... making sure she is aware of the havoc that her little heathens are wreaking. I catch her eyes. Embarrassed and exhausted her eyes are pleading…
You don’t know my story.
I offer a weak smile and move on.
Deep down, it's not about bribery, tantrums, or clean faces. At least it shouldn't be.
Daily, we cross paths with so many. And we only get a glimpse -- a page in their story still being written.
And yet I am so prone to be that person. The one who rolls her eyes and thinks she knows better.
When instead I am simply called to offer grace. Listen. Smile. Hug. Encourage.
When instead I am simply called to offer grace. Listen. Smile. Hug. Encourage.
I need to slow down and take the time to be a small, but life giving character in their story.
So good! Thank you so much for this Christie. You're right...you just never know their story. thanks for the reminder. love you!
ReplyDeleteAdd special-needs to that mix. I've been told my son was rude when he didn't answer their 'how-are-you' question. It's called Autism, you...person. (insert fake smiley face...lol) Yep. You nailed it. I've given the 'look' and received it. How quickly we judge...
ReplyDeleteMuch needed reminder here. Awesome!
Christie... WOW! I do not have kids but can still relate - the old adage "Never judge a book by its cover" still rings true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder.