Look Before You …

Rachel at age three and a half. As I recall, this actually was the dress she was wearing when this incident happened.

Something rather embarrassingly funny happened to me when Rachel was about three and a half years old. I ran across something I had written about the incident in one of my old newsletters that I wrote at the time. I thought I'd share it with you, as well. Fun with a point.
 

I had taken Rachel to a supermarket / department store / food court / kids’ play area all rolled into one.  We went to the supermarket first to buy some milk before going to the food court to eat. I was in the checkout line nearest the entrance ready to pay the cashier. Rachel was looking over the shopping carts just a few steps away.  

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her prepare to dash past me to the play area beyond. I reached back to grab her dress as she passed by.   

In the split second it took for me to realize that the fabric in my hand was NOT my daughter’s dress, a woman behind me started laughing hysterically. Of course, I immediately let go and looked around to see that the fabric I had been holding was the back of her husband’s trouser leg. (Soooo glad it was the back.)

Rachel with a good friend wearing matching dresses.

This tourist couple had been entering the supermarket as Rachel made her dash. She evidently passed through on the far side of the couple. I apologized to the woman profusely, and I am certain, with an extremely red face. I don't think I have been that embarrassed for a very long time, either before or since. I had no opportunity to apologize to the man, though. He just kept walking into the store without once glancing back. 

This incident serves as a reminder to consider the consequences of my choices.  Impulse reactions don’t always end with funny stories.  

In Luke 14:28, we read, 

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”  

Jesus was speaking here about counting the cost of following Him.  But “counting the cost” in other areas is important as well. Many things deserve careful consideration, or at least a second glance, before jumping into them – choosing a job, a mate, a home, choosing how to discipline your children, choosing how to respond to someone who hurts you, etc.  

And yes, when it came to making a grab for Rachel’s dress as she ran past me . . . a second glance would have been a very good idea.   

The lesson here…”Look before you ______.”  (You can fill in the blank.)

 TIme for Reflection

•  Have you ever "taken a leap" without counting the cost? How did that turn out for you?
• Is there something going on in your life now for which you really need to count the cost before making a decision?
• Will you do it?