Last week when I went shopping for all my Thanksgiving groceries, I saw something very disturbing. I heard a woman yelling, and couldn't tell at first if it was someone being silly or serious, but when I heard what sounded like smacks and the words "Get up off that floor! Don't you ever run away from me like that!" I looked around and found, about 3 aisles over, a woman jerking up what looked like a 2-3 year old girl. She was yelling at her in the meanest voice, using words they're not even allowed to say on TV. A store worker was standing a few feet behind the woman, snickering.
And I didn't do anything.
I walked past them, and got what was on my list.
I justified it, thinking that I wouldn't want someone interfering with me disciplining my child who had run from me in a store. And that I've been furious with my kids before. But. I have never screamed profanities at them. And what she was doing wasn't discipline.
Then I turned around and there they were again. The mom saw someone she knew and smiled and talked, then yanked on the little girl's arm again because her hand was too far up in her sleeve, and she told her to get it the **** out of there.
And I felt like I was going to throw up.
But I still didn't say anything, I just walked on past again, looking the other way. I prayed for her. But I wonder if God was saying, "Yeah, I know she needs help. That's why I put you there."
2 comments:
Oh Kecia, that's so hard. I have been in situations like that too where I wished I could go back and say something. And after I think of all of these really good things I could have said.
man. that's hard. I often think that a hard hearted person will be so calloused they won't hear a thing I have to say. and talk myself out of the potential conflict before it has even started. so i can understand why you may have chosen to remain silent.
i am thankful you are the mother you can be to your own family despite the injustice of another mother. when Mother Teresa was asked how each of us can make an impact on changing the world, she said, "go home." that changing the world begins with our own families and children.
peace be to you today.
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