She caught our eyes the moment we stepped into the craft store. My daughter grabbed her from amongst all the others who looked just like her – or mostly like her. They were all stuffed bunnies. Some were white, some were gray, and some were brown. They all had pink noses, black eyes, a baby blue bow and baby blue pads on their feet and inside their floppy ears.
But the one meant for us has a unique feature: her nose is quite crooked. Many would see this as a defect, for it is, as I said, quite crooked. Not just crooked, but quite crooked. And this is what drew us to place her in the little front seat of our cart before we even began looking around the rest of the store.
As we perused the aisles of spring-colored goodies, we ended up filling our cart with a couple of large items, and because the carts at craft stores are so much smaller than regular carts, we had to fold up Bunny’s seat to make room for our other goods.
Thus we wondered where to put Bunny. My first thought was to put her back with her family. After all, we were buying other things we actually needed. Did we really need another stuffed animal?
So as we waited to decide Bunny’s fate, Kendall put Bunny inside of the new bread box we were about to purchase. It was easy enough. She just rolled up the front as one does so conveniently with bread boxes everywhere. She placed Bunny right inside and closed up the box.
And we went on our merry way and forgot all about Bunny – until, that is, it was time to check out. I was digging in my purse for money when I glanced up and watched (in slow motion) the cashier turn the bread box over in order to scan the barcode on the bottom. Well, the motion caused the bread box to roll right open, and out hopped Bunny (who I imagine was rather giddy at being freed from her cage).
It was then I realized how it must have looked. The cashier must have thought I was attempting to smuggle Bunny home without paying for her. Well, of course I was doing no such thing, but because I thought I must have looked guilty, I started acting guilty. I stuttered. I sputtered. I know I was blushing, but luckily my mask hid that to some extent.
I laughed awkwardly and attempted to explain: “I totally forgot that was in there!” I guffawed. “I really was going to pay for that!” I’m not sure whether or not the cashier bought my excuses (her mask was rendering her expressionless, though Kendall still maintains that she saw skepticism in the cashier’s eyes).
On the way home from our adventure, we christened the little stowaway “BB” for Bread Box to remind us of how she came to be ours. Kendall and I had a good laugh at the situation, but it made me think of all of the times stowaway attitudes reveal themselves in our own lives.
We’re just engaging in some girl talk, catching up with friends, when a topic gets heated and negativity emerges. And even after we leave, some of those attitudes come along with us. We have been upset over something or embittered by someone, and suddenly we find ourselves thinking negative thoughts. And then we’re in a really bad mood. Finally, we ask ourselves, “What has happened here? Everything was going so well, and now I’m in just the worst mood!”
Replaying offenses over and over in our minds. Wondering what sharp retort we should have come up with when confronted by that unreasonable person. Stoking the fires of bitterness, feeling that somehow this makes us stronger or protects us from further harm. Adding up all of the wrongs done or the mean things said to or about us. These can be the worst kinds of stowaways.
We are not powerless in these situations, however. We can control what we choose to dwell on. We can renew our minds and take back our peace. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us how: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Romans 12:1-2 says: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ephesians 4:29-32 tells us: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
The Bible is replete with good advice for practical living. We need to pray about these stowaways, ask for God’s help as we process our hurts and frustrations. And then we go forward in the strength that God provides, and we make sure our minds are cultivating lovely things.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).
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