Target Last Night

This is a completely random post; a story I wanted to tell that was too long for IG or FB, so I'm putting it here.

Last night in a moment of freedom, I made a quick trip to Target for my cookie exchange.  I really only needed a few baking items, but somehow I started browsing the back wall in the clearance section of the women's department {because Target}.  I lingered longer than I thought I would, sorting through five-dollar sweaters that weren't worth five dollars, and I noticed I was inadvertently shadowing another woman who was doing the same.

She was around my age, we had similar taste in sweaters, and she had her school-aged son in her shopping cart.  I noticed him grumble and make sounds {was he tired?  was he sick?  or just being a pest?}.  And then his mom quietly said "Please don't whine, use your words, or use your sign language."  I had a hunch he had a special need, but plenty of parents tell their kids to use their words...I felt like I wanted to say hi, but couldn't...so I headed to get groceries {I'm slightly socially awkward, I know}.

After finally getting my cocoa powder and chocolate chips {and failing to locate pear juice}, I checked out went for the exit.  It was pouring rain.  Pouring!  I ran like a nut to my car, unloaded my cart, and decided to be a good citizen and put my cart away in the right spot, because I would not want to be the employee having to bring them all in during a downpour.  In the midst of jumbled, empty carts, I noticed someone had left a Christmas garland they had bought on the underside of their cart {worst nightmare!}.  And in the middle of the rain I picked it up and ran it back in.

Just as I was walking over to guest services, I saw her; the same woman with her son that I had avoided saying hello to back in the women's section when I first got there.  Her son was in a squat position in the cart, and he had a large braces around his hips.  I had no idea the manner of his disability, but it was clear that she and I had more in common than five-dollar sweaters.  After I handed in the deserted Christmas garland, I touched her shoulder from behind and said "Hi, I just wanted to tell you that you're a really good mom.  I'm sorry, I realize I don't know you, but I can see that you're a really good mom."  She smiled and said "Thank you so much!"  And I headed out to my car {just a wee bit teary}.

She didn't need to know that I too was a special needs parent, or that I've had the blessing of random strangers saying that to me, but she just needed to hear that she was a good mom.  And you are too...you tired mama who's reading this.  You've got dirty socks on the floor, dishes in the sink, whiney kids, and no plans for dinner?  You're doing a great job.  Christ sees you, and you are so loved by Him.

God clearly put that long lost Christmas garland on an empty shopping cart for a reason.