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.

Excess Baggage

Perhaps one of the most expensive components of taking a vacation is getting to and from the place you are going.

It seems everything is a factor. Recently I have been checking on prices for rental cars. I tried looking up prices online and was astounded to see the current rate in the Fox Valley area was around $100 a day. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor and reattach it to my head! The price of fuel is through the roof.

Next, I looked at the airlines. It has been a while since I have flown. What amazed me was the fact that a traveler must pay extra to take baggage. It used to be a person could take two bags with and each had to be less than 50 lbs. Then, that changed to one bag at 50lbs. Now, American Airlines charges $25 for the first bag? Has it really been that long since I have flown? Yikes!

One thing led to the next and the next and as most of you who know me know, my brain can really jump from topic to topic. I ended up pondering the word baggage.

Baggage is defined as:

1. trunks, suitcases, etc., used in traveling; luggage.
2. the portable equipment of an army.
3. things that encumber one's freedom, progress, development, or adaptability; impediments: intellectual baggage that keeps one from thinking clearly; neurotic conflicts that arise from struggling with too much emotional baggage.

I started to wonder, what if God started charging us for all the extra baggage we insist on carrying with us all the time?

Why do we Christians insist on letting our past dictate who we are today? Yes, the events of the past should help us grow, become stronger and initiate change that is necessary for us to become the person/s God has ordained for us to be. Unfortunately, many Christians today choose to dwell in the past. We relive our painful pasts day after day. We let the baggage from our past keep us from the blessings God has for us.

Let’s say we take a walk and we pass 100 people on our journey. It’s guaranteed that each person we pass has a past that includes pain and trouble of some kind. The homeless man lost his wife in a fire while he was at work, now he faces each day with a bottle in a brown bag. The lady who is yelling at her kids doesn’t know any different, she was abused herself as a child. The women in the business suit had three miscarriages. The man driving the fancy sports car is lonely and has not a friend in the world he can trust. The Word says we WILL have trouble in this life. Trouble is not unique to you and I. It knocks on everyone’s door at some point in life.

The question is, what do we do with it once it knocks? How do we react? How do we let it affect us? How long do we let it affect us? Why should we Christians be different? The answer is as simple: Christ.

In John 16:33 Jesus himself says this: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

We should be finding our peace solely in Him. Not in having the perfect childhood, money, plenty of food or lots of material possessions. All those things are immaterial. They have no bearing on eternity.

When we accepted Christ, we were supposed to hand all of our baggage over to him. He took it all upon Himself when he willingly put himself on the cross. Why do we insist on taking it back?

When our world is falling apart around us, we need to look to Him. I ask you this, is there something you have been holding on to? Something you should have given Christ when you stood before the cross? He is still willing to take that thing. Give it to Him and know peace.

If God was charging for all the excess baggage you are carrying…how much would you owe?

A High Class Bathroom!

I love all of God’s creation. I love to gaze upon the mountains. I love to listen to the ocean and watch the sunset over the horizon. I love forests and meadows, rivers and lakes, the wind and the sun. I love people (well, I’m trying!) and I love the creatures He made to roam the earth. Of all creation, one thing is my favorite. Flowers. I love them. I love flower gardens, wild flowers, bouquets and even the occasional dandelion that my son brings me.

I love their distinct smells. In the spring I can’t get enough of lilacs. I have to say I have clipped a few without permission in days past. The smell of roses nearly brings me to my knees. Hyacinths…what can I say? I have to have at least one potted plant in my home in the spring. Have to!

At the Farmer’s Market in Green Bay, a person can buy huge bouquets of wildflowers. They take my breath away. They are vibrant and bold. I have this wide mouthed vase that I love setting on a decorative table with these particular flowers in it. A mirror hangs about this table perfectly reflecting the flowers. Sometimes I will stand there, staring, thanking God for his beautiful creation.

Of all the types of flowers, none brings me quite as much joy as the ones my husband brings me. It’s usually a complete surprise, I open the door…he’s holding a beautiful bouquet of long red-stemmed roses adorned with baby’s breath and ferns. He runs his hand through his rakishly disheveled hair and smiles…whoa! Wake up Darlene. That has NEVER happened.

All right, this is the point in the post where I must say I love my husband. Very much. He perfectly completes me. He loves me. He is a wonderful father, a great husband, a wonderful provider. He is so many things! One thing he is not is a good “flower” giver.

When it comes to the “love languages”, he and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum. He needs words of encouragement, affirmation and respect. I need gifts. LOL Yep, I like presents. They don’t have to be expensive presents. They don’t have to be fancy. For whatever reason, my psyche recognizes love through gifts.

What is a woman to do? I have asked for flowers. I have left subtle hints (okay, maybe not so subtle hints): You haven’t brought me flowers recently…or it’s been six months (who’s counting?) since you brought me flowers. On occasion my pleas go unnoticed. Other times, I will receive a little bouquet he picks up at the grocery store. (True, they have no scent, but at least they look pretty!) I am appeased for a while.

Fast forward to today. Imagine my surprise when I go into the bathroom to clean and see my favorite wide mouthed vase, not full of glorious flowers, like it is intended for, but housing the toilet brush! WHAT???? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME?????? I’ll give you one guess who did that!

I can hear him now “This vase doesn’t get used very often. Might as well put it to good use!” I wonder why?!!! Talk about the dog house. That man is in deep doo doo!

Lord, thank you for my husband. Amen.