Grocery Store Blues

I try and grocery shop when I am alone. Sometimes, this is not possible. Like today. Today I ran into the grocery store to grab a few things and in tow were my 8-year-old son and a 43-year-old kid (the husband). These two have been know to race up and down aisles searching for me, making a game of finding me first.

Often times it’s the 8-year-old that finds me first and how do I know this? The same reason everyone else in the store knows this…he shrieks, “I found her” and takes off at a full run, trying to beat his dad.

Another reason I prefer to shop alone is, to an 8-year-old boy, everything, and I mean everything is shaped like a weapon. The Pringles can is a high-powered rifle, the tuna fish can is a grenade and the zucchini makes a great pistol. Every item I put into the cart makes it’s way into the rotation of being a weapon. I draw the line at the bread. I don’t like squished bread.

The above scenarios are really not all that unpleasant. There are times when I grin and enjoy having the “guys” with me. Other times, I like the relative quiet of shopping alone. It’s rare that I get time by myself.

The biggest argument for me not taking my son with me is what I find in the grocery lane checkouts. It doesn’t matter what store I go into, it’s all the same. The checkout lane is lined with women, scantily dressed, often times in bikinis, directly in the line of vision of my eight-year-old son. Gossip magazines, In Shape magazine, Glamour, you name it, it’s there. I have had words with managers over Cosmopolitan magazine. Having a young reader, I don’t particularly care for the naked women gracing their front covers telling my son “how to have great sex!”

Yesterday, as I was standing in line waiting for my turn to be waited on, my eyes roamed the racks in front of me. In the midst of the “soft porn” was a magazine called In Touch. On the cover was someone named Teresa posing with her daughter and her dog. I have no idea who she is or why she is famous. I do know this, the quote under her picture, made me very sad. It read “I am terrified of being poor.”

I admit, being broke is no fun. But, does it terrify me? No.

It is no wonder we read in 1 Tim 6:10 (NKJV) “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…”

When we put our hope, faith, trust, self worth, identity, and value in money, it is no wonder the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. When we determine who is worth being associated with based on how much money they have, we have issues. When our bank account tells us “You don’t have to be afraid anymore”, we are under a huge illusion of where the source of our security lies. When we justify sinning, going directly against the Word of God because our security lies in money, we are telling God, “You are not big enough to handle my issues.”

I am not opposed to having money in the bank. As a matter of fact, I highly recommend that anyone and everyone take Financial Peace University. I believe in the principles taught by Dave Ramsey in this course. I am not opposed to wealth or having abundance. Someday my husband and I will build our dream home, indoor pool and all. Yes, we will enjoy it. But, will it be my source of security? I pray the answer to that question will always be a resounding no.

God is the giver of all good gifts. He is our provider. He sustains us. He clothes us. He feeds us. He has shed his own blood for us. My one source of security is Him. Nothing else can compare. Nothing else will do.

Teresa, whoever you are, I am praying for you. Your hope is in finding the One who can take you through every heartache, every hurt and give you peace that passes all understanding.