Conquering Giants Even at a McDonald's Play House

My second daughter Kaelyn was about 3 or 4 years old when she encountered her first bully.  We were in Rawlings Wyoming at the McDonalds.  Kaelyn was playing in the McPlay House climbing through the tunnels, sliding down the slides and just having a great time.  When all seemed to be fun and games, the bully entered the scene.  He was about 6 years old and 3 times her size.  If I didn’t know any better I would have thought this kid was trying to be the Goliath of the McPlay House.

 

Goliath was a pretty stout looking kid and appeared angry.  I watched him push other kids out of his way, block kids from going into tunnels, and even shove kids down slides.  Just as I was about to say something to his parents, I noticed Kaelyn and Goliath were having a face off. 

Goliath was in the ball pit and Kaelyn wanted in.  If Kaelyn went left Goliath went right to block her.  If she went right he went left and blocked her.  Instead of getting  angry, I was being entertained.  If you know my daughter, you know she is pretty tough and strong willed.  So I sat back and watched making sure he didn’t lay a hand on her.  After several attempts to enter the ball pit I heard a very pronounced and very bold voice say “Let me in or else!”  Goliath responded “No! Or else what?” 

At that point the standoff began.  Goliath on the inside had his arms crossed and bold smirk on his face.  He was defiantly standing his ground.  Kaelyn was at the entrance with her arms crossed and eyes glaring into his with a look that could kill.  What seemed liked several minutes had passed, neither one was going to back down.

Since the stand and glare off was not working, Kaelyn reached above her head and grabbed the bar above her, stepped back with eye glare still intact, and then she swung her body into the pit.  What seemed like a matrix move to me is what finally ended the standoff.  Kaelyn flew through the air and feet first she struck Goliath in the chest, he fell backwards and disappeared into the ball pit.  Nowhere to be seen, he was completely covered.   

With her bold and direct voice she stood over where he once stood and said “I told you to let me in!” Then followed the cries “Mommy she kicked me, waaaaa waaaaa waaaa, booooohooohooo…”  Then Goliath like a whipped puppy scrambled out of the pit and ran to his mother.  Whimpering Goliath’s mother said to him “I told you to be nice to other kids, you got what you deserved.”

 I love my daughter Kaelyn. She is one of the boldest people I know.  Sometimes she lacks constructiveness and can be a tad harsh, but she knows who she belongs to and the strength He has given her.  She never hesitates to stand for what she believes in. 



Here is the Brute
several years latter

We have giants in our lives, sometimes they are people and sometimes they are people.  Either way they are giants that intimidate us and even prevent us from doing God’s will.  We must be bold and courageous if we intend on winning the battles we face as Christians.  Thankfully, our boldness and courage comes from the Lord.  Embrace it and call upon it because with His strength you can knock those stupid giants down. 

I Corinthians 15:57

  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory 

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 16:13 

  Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; 

be men of courage; be strong.        

May my life be the proof and evidence of His love!