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Little Boy Lost
It happens. In a blink of an eye, a sudden turn of your head,
something grabs your attention for a moment and when you look back,
you have no idea where you are or where everyone went.
Shopping malls, parks, picnics, at the beach or any where large
crowds gather, the potential for getting lost or feeling lost
exists.
Years ago when I worked in retail I often times would find parent
and child separated in the store.
It just meant someone wasn't paying attention. I don't know why, but
the memory of one such moment came to me yesterday.
I worked in a large, local department store which offered all the
necessities of life much like the chain stores of today.
One day I found a young boy wandering down the aisle in my
department. His whimpering, sniffling and periodic moaning first
caught my attention.
I thought for sure it was simply another child who was told "No, you
can't have that toy!" The toy department nearby was the first place
the kids headed. My department was the first place moms headed. I
worked in cosmetics, personal products and candy.
As the sounds of the child continued I decided to investigate.
There, two aisles down, I found the little boy sitting on the floor.
Tear soaked and in need of a little attention, I approached him
asking, "Is your mommy lost?"
He looked up and said, "I don't think so. Why, did you find one?"
I smiled and sat down on the floor next to him.
Now, I hate even mentioning this, but in today's world under "fear
of being misunderstood," I would hesitate to do what I did back
then.
These were different times. A hug was a hug, a pat on the head was
caring and holding a lost child's hand as you walked to the customer
service desk to report a "Lost parent" was acceptable.
I brought him over to the candy department first and along the way
got his name and hometown so we could easily reconnect parent and
child.
We always seemed to have a bag or two of candy that was
"accidentally" opened by my manager, Betty. I gave him his choice
and told him to pick out one for mommy, too.
Off in the distance I could hear someone calling his name.
"Billy! Billy, where are you?"
As we approached the woman a smile came to his face. He let go of my
hand and ran toward her embrace.
She went on to explain how this all must have happened. I had heard
it all before. That "split second," that "just turned my head" was
all too familiar.
But what wasn't familiar to me was her response afterwards.
"Whack!" Yes, she slapped his back end and began to scream at him.
"whack!" Again.
She shook him like I've never seen before.
"Don't you ever.... whack!"
It was not my place to say anything. I wanted to. I desperately
wanted to.
She then turned to me and said, "Thank you!" And began to walk away.
I shouted, "Wait! Billy, did you forget?"
Billy, again looking tear soaked and scared more than before, turned
back to look at me.
His eyes begged for me to step in, but I couldn't.
"Billy, you forgot to give your mommy her present."
"Mom, when we found each other, I offered him a piece of candy. He
immediately asked if he could have one for his mommy, didn't you
Billy?"
He slowly nodded his head in agreement and a bit of confusion.
Mom was stunned. She knelt down next to him, gave him a hug and they
walked out the door hand in hand.
Maybe that's why I remembered this story today.
I've been lost. I've been found and lost again and again. I never
feared being found because my loving Father always welcomed me back.
He wrapped his arms around me and reminded me that I was never out
of His sight.
I just "felt" lost. Sometimes we all do. Permit me to remind you
that when that happens know that your Father knows exactly where you
are and if you listen you'll hear Him calling your name.
I once was lost, but now I'm found Was blind, but now I see.
Amazing isn't it?
Bob Perks 2believe@PROTECTED |
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