Life can get so busy that
sometimes there just aren't enough hours in a day. That is the glamorous but
oh-so-special life of "Mom". One particular morning, during a very
busy season, I visited my local grocery store after realizing it was time to
restock the pantry and refrigerator that had gone extremely bare. The milk had
run out a few days before 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 had been pretty busy those 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 had 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 that grocery-shopping thing had
nothing on me. I even went in full Pender County mode by donning a big 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
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 was
ready!
I began 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! Those prices! Of course, the budget is the same
but the prices have taken a dramatic hike so then I began 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. 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 had blessed us with.
I paused in mid-aisle and said a
prayer of thanks to God for His constant provision. I praised 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 was more than
enough, and for that, I was grateful! I needed an attitude adjustment and also
to refocus on God's many blessings.
I took my final turn down the
frozen foods aisle and as I walked, every light in the freezers began 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 that day. 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!
Take some time on this Monday to
see the goodness of God. Through all your frustrations and disappointments,
remember that you have a God that loves and adores you. He is for YOU! He will
provide your every need and give you just enough light for each step your on!
Blessings to YOU this day!
“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)
