Shopping with kids is a testing experience at best. But when children have a habit of running out of sight, the thought of trying to look for them in a maze of high-shelved aisles is terrifying.
One mom’s worst fears were realized when she lost her son at her local Walmart. She retraced her steps and discovered the little lad on his knees, praying.
Braydon, the boy in question, won the internet’s hearts when his purpose for praying was shared online.
His mom shared a photo of him kneeling in prayer and explained the situation. Usually, Braydon would stay by his mom’s side during a shopping trip, but not this time.
Something had pulled the child away, but Braydon’s mom didn’t know this. She feared the worst, and searched the store in a frenzy.
That’s when she discovered Braydon, on his knees, head bowed in prayer.
Like any relieved mom, she instinctively went to scold Braydon for leaving her side. But when she saw who she was praying for, the words left her mouth.
Above Braydon’s head was a sign, which read: “Every second counts.” Braydon was praying at the billboard for the lost children in his local area.
Braydon’s mom knew that the moment was too precious not to capture, so she quickly snapped a photo.
She then hugged her son and cried, not knowing what else to do. When the pair went home, Braydon’s mom wanted to share her son’s moving behavior with the world – and that’s how the photo ended up online.
She wrote:
“I had to run into Walmart. I turned around to make sure my son was next to me. Instead of finding him by my side I found him kneeling in front of the missing children board praying.”
It didn’t take long for the post to be shared by hundreds of thousands, and those who had a missing person in their families were incredibly touched by the little boy’s action.
When a Christian radio station in Tyler, Texas, shared the mother’s post, it reached viral status immediately.
But you don’t have to be a believer to be inspired by the little boy’s actions, as one Facebook user proved, writing:
“I don’t even believe in God or organized religion at all but THIS child is so beautiful to have such a huge and caring heart!!! Way to go mom for raising a sweet compassionate and loving little boy!”
Braydon has inspired other kids to follow in his footsteps, too.
Another little boy went semi-viral for stopping after he stopped to pray at a “missing persons” billboard. Perhaps Braydon has started a trend – and good for him if he has.
With so many missing and exploited children in the world, we need all the help we can get.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that 800,000 children go missing per year in the United States alone.
Horrifyingly, the NCMEC reports that there were over 1,300 attempted abductions in 2019, and 68% of them involving a car abduction.
While Braydon’s praying won’t bring back the missing people in his local area, he’s an inspiration to us all.
He’s a reminder that having faith is an important element to all human life on earth. Without faith, we have nothing.
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