The red rescue phone

The boys and I stopped at Target to pick up a “reward” (read: bribery) for making great choices with a two new babysitters.  They thought they knew exactly what they wanted before we arrived and they’d waited so patiently to get there.  We were going to run in and run out.  (bahahaha)

You know the drill.

When we arrived, they saw so many new things they wanted.  Things they didn’t know existed.  I mean, thanks a lot Target.  They’ve come up with everything imaginable to promote the new Star Wars movie and it’s all front and center.  Light sabers that light up and swoosh with sound, talking, walking clones, cuddly Darth Vader stuffed animals (huh?), you name it, they’ve thought of it.  Entire Lego battle scenes, with each individual spaceship abound.

Then there were ALL the Pokemon cards.  The new 3Doodler.  And Oh, don’t forget mom, we were going to get Connect 4, because you loved it when you were a kid.  Yes, yes, yes.  I did love it when I was a kid.  I’m not loving it right now though.  I just want to get out of here. 

With all the lights and sounds and kids running everywhere, I could feel anxiety rising inside me.

I took some deep breaths.  

I tried really hard to think happy thoughts and stay engaged with each of their wondrous little imaginations, but dear goodness after the first 25 minutes of indecision.  I felt like I might explode.

So finally, I set a timer and called for final decisions.

Sweet Noah brought me his top three choices and wanted to talk through his rationale for each.  We did and he decided he wanted to try this new doodler.  Now mind you, it’s not the real one, this is a $9 knock-off version and apparently, it needed glue to go with it.  We scoured the rows to no avail.  Then I scoured them all again.  I was desperate to find this crazy glue so I could get the heck out of dodge.

It was nowhere to be found.

I start frantically looking for an employee to ask for assistance, they were nowhere to be found.  Then I saw it.

I saw the red rescue phone.

It was on the end of the toy aisle.  It was glowing with the words, “Need help?  Lift the phone for assistance.”  Right at that moment, I think I heard angels singing.  I felt my anxiety calming as I walked toward it.

I lifted the phone, not having any idea what I might find on the other end.   The voice said, “Press one to speak to a customer service representative or press two and a team member will meet you at this phone in 60 seconds.”  Sixty seconds y’all!  TWOOOOO!

They were not kidding.  

In about 60 seconds, Frankie rounded the corner out of thin air with a “How can I help?”  It was like magic.  Frankie helped me locate what I was looking for in almost no time.  I wanted to give him a big giant hug, but I refrained.

We grabbed what we were looking for and headed out.

As we were walking to the car, I apologized to the boys for rushing them and being so tense.  That’s when I remembered the red rescue phone. A silly phone booth calmed me in a way I apparently couldn’t calm myself.  What in the world was that all about?

When I saw the phone, it gave me hope.

When I lifted the handle and heard that a person, a real person, was on their way to help me, I knew it was all going to be alright.

I wasn’t going to have to face it alone.  I had a guide.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a red rescue phone in all the situations of our lives?  

We actually already do.

We have each other.  We were made for connection.  We just have to seek out the phone and pick it up.

We have to get past the brokenness, the awkwardness, the walls of protection, the anxiety and let someone come be our guide for a bit.

You may feel totally alone, afraid or anxious in your situation today.  If you do, pick up the phone.  I know it’s scary.  You don’t have any idea what you’ll find on the other end, but if it’s a true friend, you’ll find a supportive guide.

No matter how strong you think you are, you can’t live this life alone.  

Pick up the phone.

to more love,

Crystal