The Runaway

A few weeks ago my son ran away from me at the store. We were at Meijer (think Super Walmart, but bigger). We had gone to the store to pick up a few last minute things for our trip, and also I had decided to let the kids pick out a special toy to play with in the van to keep them entertained since our DVD player is not working. It is rare that I stop at any store with all three kids, more trouble than it's worth usually, but I did this time. After the kids had picked their toys we went to get the rest of what I needed. He decided to run ahead of me, he kept looking back and smiling, and I kept telling him to wait for me. Then he took of running and turned the corner. When I reached the corner and turned, he was gone. I had no idea where he went. We were right in the middle of the store between the food and everything else. I walked in the direction he went looking both directions, but he was just gone.

I started to get that panicked feeling and tried to calmly walk up to the front of the store, all the time searching for an employee for help, none to be found when I needed one. I went up to the nearest check out and told the cashier that I couldn't find my son, he had run away from me. (I got really frustrated with how they handled that situation, but not really what I want to talk about now.) I was pretty sure he wouldn't go outside but my eyes were watching the door like a hawk. I was thinking the whole time I was looking for him that there was no way he was going to get his toy he had picked out. I was so mad...

A few minutes later, I saw him walking towards the front of the store with an employee. Even though he had only been gone for a few minutes total, I was completely overcome with emotion and my eyes filled with tears. He came right to me and gave me a big hug, he looked so sad. I knew he was sorry, and that this was the first time he has ever really felt lost. I was proud of him that he remembered to find a store employee to help him find his mom. Although just second before I was ready to put back his toy, I immediately had no desire to do that. I was just so happy.

In sharing this experience with a friend I realized that I was able to feel a little of what our Heavenly Father feels for us when we make a poor choice and "run away" and become lost. If we come back to Him, He has promised us all that He has can be ours. We are His children, he loves us and we are heirs to his kingdom (Romans 8:16-17). Although it was a somewhat traumatic experience, I am thankful to have had this insight into the divinity within myself. Hopefully my son learned something too.