Walmart and Redemption Stories

After dropping Bella off at her summer camp this morning in north Georgia, I stopped at the Walmart up there for a few quick items.

In the bin aisle, as I was attempting to match bins to their lids, I had the express joy of overhearing two men—well into their 80s—chatting. One was telling the other the story of how God rescued him as a young man, turned his life around and made what was broken, beautiful.

There was really no seamless way for me to enter into that conversation, so I didn’t. Though I kind of wanted to stop and hug them both.

Wouldn’t this world be a little better if we all took the time to share our redemption stories with each other over our carts in the aisles of Walmart? Not our success stories, but the story of our surrender and His rescue?

I mean, just stop for a minute and imagine.

And even better yet, if we all allowed ourselves to receive the free gift of God’s beautiful rescue in our own lives?

Walmart probably has over 5 million items packed onto its many metal shelves, but the best item I walked out with today? Joy!

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” - Psalm 40