The McDonalds

I normally don't write about politics or current events - I like to stick with things happening in my own life, Disney planning, and the like. However, this recent Target boycott has gotten me thinking and I just have to write down my thoughts on this issue. First off, let me say, it disturbs me on a very basic level that our society has come to the place that this is even an issue. I'm a woman, who frequently has children with me many places I go. I always choose the family restroom (Target is famous for having a family restroom in most of their stores) if it's a possibility, and if not, I keep my kids with me in the biggest stall available. I don't think men should be allowed in women's restrooms or vice versa. But that is not the issue at stake here. 

I am not going to boycott Target. I like Target. I have a red card, and it's right by my house. I buy a lot of things there and will continue to do so. Why am I not joining the boycott? 

Because I don't think it's what Jesus would have done. In the Bible, Jesus didn't run away from the people who didn't agree with Him. He didn't pout when things didn't go quite His way. He didn't slander people's (companies) reputations and stand on the street corner warning His followers to avoid doing business with them at all cost.  That's not how He operated at all. I don't think I've ever talked to a single soul who said "yeah, I wasn't a Christian until I heard about Christians boycotting Starbucks/Disney/Target and thought, man, they have it right! So I decided to become a Christian." --- nope, no one is ever going to do that. Because those actions aren't graceful and Christlike. Why do we Christians go around expecting the world to act like anything other than the world? Society at large is never going to agree with us as Christians - that's why we are called to walk in truth and light in a world of ever increasing darkness. 

We as Christians, I think, need to be a lot less concerned with where we are shopping and a lot more concerned with making sure people are clothed, fed, and loved in our own community. I don't care if you buy food for the homeless shelter at Target or Wal-Mart or Kroger. The question needs to be, ARE WE feeding people? Are we telling people in the world who are lost and hurting and have never experienced the grace and mercy of a loving God, "hey! You! You are loved, you are precious, and you were made in the image of God. You have a purpose and a hope if you will only accept that hope from Christ." Are we spreading Christ's aroma throughout this world, or are we becoming stale and a little stinky? 

I definitely don't agree with Target's stance on this, but there are many things on a daily basis I don't agree with in this world. In fact, I think my little family and I generally swim the direct opposite way of the current of social norms right now. And that is alright. I don't go around yelling about people who make different choices than I do. God loves each of us the same -and we are all sinners in need of a Savior.

 Every. Single. Soul. On. Earth. Needs Jesus. Needs hope. Would be destined for eternity in hell without accepting Christ as Lord. 

And it's our call as Christians to spread that hope - not to spread animosity and bitterness and ugliness like a group of middle schoolers! So instead of boycotting Target, I'm gonna keep shopping there, praying as I go in that God grants me opportunities to love on His other children who are shopping or working there, too.