I get it. Boycotting a place or product when we don’t agree may seem like the reasonable thing to do. Perhaps you feel it gives you a voice, a cause, or a purpose? Boycotts seem to be the preferred tool consumers use to make their feelings known.
Here are 10 things I’m doing instead of boycotting Target:
1. Praying More
I need to pray more. Like a whole lot more. Prayer is what makes the biggest impact in this world. I’m going to start, continue and end here. May the movement of my lips be a direct correlation between time spent alone with Jesus first.
“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ” John Bunyan
2. Saying No To Fear
This world is constantly changing. Laws change. Leaders change. But my God is bigger and sovereign over it all. I will not let fear rule my thoughts and actions.
3. Listening To Red Flags
I will choose to continue to listen to that still small voice. That gut-feeling. That Mommy-intuition. It’s a real thing! I will choose to be more aware in all places, not just bathrooms at Target.
4. Asking For Wisdom
God says that if I ask for wisdom, He will give it to me abundantly. So I will continue to seek Him first, and His guidance. I will be careful not to jump on a bandwagon just because it seems like the right thing to do.
5. Educating My Children
I will continue to educate my children (based on age and maturity) regarding sexuality and the great value of protecting themselves. I will make known to them what is okay and what’s not okay. I will tell them they have the right to yell HELP and NO and DON’T. I will give them freedom to have a voice. I will stress awareness in all circumstances. Not talking about these things because they are uncomfortable is not the answer.
6. Choosing Grace-Filled Speech
Our children are watching the way we use our speech. How do we communicate to a lost and dying world that Christ is Lord, not a person or a platform? Before I post something on Facebook, or speak to someone over the phone, or talk about things they may overhear to my husband, may I always remember that my children are watching and listening to HOW I communicate grace. May grace override hateful speech every time.
7. Examining My Own Heart
This is the time to examine my own heart. Is there unconfessed sin in my heart? Am I doing everything I can to walk the walk, not just talk the talk? Jesus, grab hold of my heart and make me clean, because of you. All because of You.
8. Spending My Money Wisely
Instead of boycotting a place or product, just simply use your money for the greater good. Isaiah 58:6-8 says,
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9. Loving My Neighbors
I need to love my community as Christ would have me to. I think that I can show that more than I could making known I’m boycotting Target. I could send fresh baked cookies to the lonely widow, or invite that desperate mom inside my home for coffee. It takes a lot more courage to do these things, than simply stand on a soapbox.
10. Letting God Change Our Home First
Our home. Oh glory…. so much growth needed, right? I must start within the four walls of my home. Choosing to love my people here first. Selflessly. Working on not spewing hurtful words. Working on taking care of what I put in my mouth and how I treat my own body. So so so much work to be done here.
When I have this all down, then perhaps I’ll take on boycotting Target…. but I know that this thing called sanctification is a life-long and a daily feat… and so, I will let God be God, and ask Him to fight my battles. He’s so much smarter. He’s so much kinder.
Holy Spirit, have your way in this world.