This morning I visited my local grocery store after
realizing it was time to restock the pantry and refrigerator that had gone extremely
bare. The milk ran out a few days ago and there were no trash bags left in the
house so we had resorted to using plastic shopping bags to throw out our waste.
Yes, it sounds wonderful doesn't it? Lol! I have been pretty busy the last
couple of weeks so the minor things like food for my family and proper waste disposal
got a little behind. Haha! Ok, I am really not that terrible, I’ve just been in
too many directions.
After I made out my shopping list and had it organized by
grocery aisles, I grabbed my purse and coupons and headed out the door. “Mom”
is my superpower so this grocery-shopping thing had nothing on me. I even went
in full Pender County mode by donning an old t-shirt and yoga pants and wore my
hair up with no makeup on. Yes, yes, I was a sight to behold! But surprisingly,
I felt a twinge of freedom and went with my head held high. Or that may have
just been the large scrunchie on the top of my head. Haha!
I selected my buggy (a.k.a. shopping cart), disinfected
with hand sanitizer and made my first stop at the new coupon hub for the
special coupons just for me! Oh, how special I felt when they printed out with
"Jordan Family" at the top! Ok, now I'm ready!
I begin stocking my buggy and checking off my list. At the
same time I was adding up my purchases and shock and awe began to set in. Wow!
These prices! Of course, the budget is the same but the prices have taken a
dramatic hike so then I begin making adjustments. I'm sure you all understand,
well, unless you have an endless supply of money and in this economy, I kind of
doubt that. So, the list gets adjusted and some of those previously selected
items get the ax and go back on the shelf. But, nonetheless, I press on and
come to the end of the list. By this point my mood starts shifting and I get a
little discouraged. It was as if
the grocery store acted as some sort of kryptonite to my “mom” superpower
today. Lol! Of course, it was just my human weakness that came to the surface so I
asked God to show me how to make the most of out of what He has blessed us with.
I pause in mid-aisle and say a prayer of thanks to God for
His constant provision. I praise him for the many items in my buggy; those
items that will nourish our family and even our sweet dog, Louie. Though it may
not be everything on my list, it is enough, and for that, I am grateful! I
needed an attitude adjustment and also to refocus on God's many blessings.
I take my final turn down the frozen foods aisle and as I
walk, every light in the freezers begin lighting up. The more I walked, the
more lights lit up! Oh, how I love it when God sends me teachable moments in
these unsuspecting places. Lol! In all my redneck glory of no makeup and yoga
pants on the frozen food aisle, God reminded me, in His gentle way, that He
will always give me just enough light for each step I'm on. His light will
always shine brighter than any disappointment or circumstance I am in and He
will guide me every day of my life.
This was not exactly how I had imagined my grocery
shopping experience today. But the longer I walk with the Lord and trust His
heart, the more I see His presence in every area of my life. From life’s
victories to life’s disappointments, He will always show himself faithful and
guide me to His Word for comfort and direction.
Thank you, sweet Father, for your perfect ways of
adjusting my focus back on YOU. In my weakness, YOU are strong. It’s not my
power but YOUR power within me that I walk in. Thank you for reminding me that
YOU are always enough and will provide every need beyond what I could ever
imagine. You are so good and YOU are enough!
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose
thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord
God is the eternal Rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT)
