Worry

Nothing puts me in the shopping mood more than having money to do it, and since yesterday was the first of the month, my shopping list for things I've been waiting for most of last month was screaming for attention.

I generally like to do my shopping ALONE, early in the morning when Dean's at his day program. But this morning Dean was just barely awake and hadn't had his Sunday morning pancakes yet, so I took a chance and asked if he'd like to go shopping with me. (Didn't want him fixing his own pancakes while I was gone--he's forgetful about turning off the stove.) I couldn't believe how fast he got dressed, and mostly on his own, except for his socks. This man was hankering to go.

As we arrived, he hollered at a man clear across the parking lot and told him he had "neat shoes"--they were quite colorful, even that far away. The man must not have heard him, or was hoping no one else had--he just kept walking. I was dreading other awkward confrontations as we got closer to our destination. After trying a few "go carts", he finally settled on the one he wanted to ride in the store. I must say things went pretty smoothly while we were in the store and on the way home. So, my fears and dreads were not to be realized, at least for that day.

I would say that this is the case for 90% of my worries and fears. Most of them don't ever happen. So, why do I waste such valuable time on them? I John 4:18 tells us that "perfect love casts out fear". I hadn't fully seen that as applying to my worries as well. As I focus on God's love, my worries and fears do have a tendency to take back seat.

There's a big market for worrying these days though. There's lots of speculation about what's going to happen in the world. Some people are drawn to preaching that is meant to "shake us up" with shocking stories and theories about end-time events. These tactics do "worry" some people into obedience. Then there are other preachers who tickle our ears with a "feels good" message, designed to make us feel good and worry less about obedience and focus instead on the prosperity and wealth God is just waiting to hand over to us here on earth. But Jesus tells us to take up our CROSS and follow Me. Not our crown. (Matthew 16:24)

I John 4: 1 says, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." Remember, my friends, whether you're worrying too much or not enough, God's Word will provide us with just the right balance to see us through any trial. The Bible, our only safeguard.

Flip-flops in December

It was with great pleasure that I turned Dean over to our daughter's care today for a few hours, in return for my watching the granddaughters last night, while their parents did some grocery shopping. It would give me a chance to get some shopping done as well.

I noticed when I took some trash out earlier that the weather was warm enough for my preferred footwear of flip-flops and the absence of coat, jacket, or sweater. Being the carefree soul that I am, I chose to wear the flip-flops while on my errands.What a great feeling to be so lightly attired, and in December, no less. I even left my hair down, just giving it a few strokes rather than twisting it up in my usual bun.

So I went dressed for the sixties, weather-wise. But didn't realize that the background music that played in the store while I shopped would be your classic oldie-goldies sixties variety also, with all the tunes I listened to as a teenager. I soon found myself mouthing the words, tapping and almost dancing to the music over the intercom, while I shopped for the items on my list.

Keep in mind that I was in no way a surfer girl or a hippie in my youth. But like most young people, I listened to the music of the times, and with such repetition that here I was, almost half a century later, remembering the words verbatim and enjoying the beat and rhythm of the tunes. They are embedded in my memory forever, even though I stopped listening to popular hits when I became a Christian in the seventies. What a scary thought that these songs are still with me.

With this in mind, I must be honest with myself. The only music worth listening to is the music that praises God and draws me closer to Him. Lord, help me avoid Satan's trap of worldly music whenever possible. Let me save my memory for you, Lord. For music that uplifts You and is fit for the ears of angelic choir members.

The Shirt

My usual practice isn't to be out shopping on Black Friday, but it just so happened that I found myself in a store today with my nephew, when I found a plaid flannel shirt that would be perfect for Dean. It is heavy enough, with its quilted lining, to keep him warm in the winter. And since he's been pretty coat-resistant these days, and yet saying he's cold in the house at times, this shirt seemed like the perfect answer for him.

When I brought it home, he liked it immediately with it's snaps for buttons. He put it on his T-shirt-bare frame, and even came up to me just before bedtime and said it might even make a nice nightshirt. Thankfully, he did take it off though before retiring. Had me worried.

God has offered me a special robe too. It will keep me warm in all kinds of weather. It's also a free gift. I can do nothing to earn it. He delights in seeing me so in love with His robe of righteousness that I will choose to wear it forever. It's a one-size-fits-all. Why would I ever want to take it off?

Notice his rolled-up sleeves. I don't know why I bother with tall sizes!

The Gift of Bread

If there's one grocery item I hate to be out of, it's bread. I crave it in some form at almost every meal. So even when our pantry was shrinking this week, in direct proportion to our checking account, I didn't think it was possible for us to actually be out of this hearty staple. But then, we were down to our last loaf, and I was even out of bread flour so I couldn't make any in the breadmachine.

It wasn't a big problem, as I had plans to grocery shop big-time tomorrow when our money comes rolling in. But I was in for a pleasant surprise when our next-door neighbor comes over with a big box of bread to give away. He volunteers at some food distribution center and occasionally shares some of their excess food. I took eight loaves, putting most of them in the freezer. Dean and I cut into a loaf and it was soft, delicious wheat bread.

God tells us in Isaiah 33:16 "...Bread will be given him, His water shall be sure." It was just a reminder to me from God that He is still in charge and there's no need to worry about finances. God will provide. And He is the Bread of Life. John 6:48

The Jesus Way

As we entered a store today, my daughter noticed that a lady had some things on her cart that were about to fall off. As a matter of fact, it looked like she was never going to get her items to her car the way they were loaded, without some assistance. So Kayla offered to accompany her to her car and help hold the items while the lady pushed the cart. I, Grandma "Anya", was there to watch the two little girls till she came back.

No big thing, but I was particularly proud that Kayla was observant enough to see someone in need and not hesitate to do what she could to help. I was also glad to see the good example she was giving my granddaughters.

Later in the day, a neighbor called and wanted to know if I could run her up to the garage to look for her missing bank debit card. Of course, helping her out was not an option, if it was in my ability to do it. I thought about Kayla's earlier good deed, and had to smile at where she got her kindness and compassion for others.

I guess she's been seeing it and doing it all her life. It's the Jesus way.

Who's Steering?

I went shopping today again with my daughter and two granddaughters. The littlest one was riding with me on the power cart, sitting so still and being so good. But then she got to playing with the horn. Discovered just where and how to push it. Next thing I know she's taking over the steering too!

Good thing I was just a bit stronger than she was and kept us running safely down the middle of the aisles and not bumping into the shelves. She was having so much fun trying to wrest the steering away from Grandma, but her sister and I were laughing and enjoying it as much as she was. The joy for her came from doing something Grandma was supposed to do and getting away with it, even though I was the one who had the cart under control.

How often do we think we can steer better than God too? I imagine He humors us somewhat, letting us think we are in charge, even though He is really the strong one and is keeping our life on the straight path. Just like I kept our cart from crashing into anything. God will gladly be in control for us, if we ask Him to. Is there really a safer way to travel?

The Royal Treatment

The highlight of my day was grocery shopping with my daughter and her two little girls. One of them, Jenna, age 3, had two pigtails today, and with her blonde, curly hair, she reminded me of Ellie Mae on The Beverly Hillbillies. My injured foot required me to use a motorized cart, so Jenna stationed herself by my cart so she could retrieve the items from the shelf and put them in my basket. Julia, the one-year-old, entertained me with her latest word--the sound of a rooster, "cocka-do". Then, of course, Kayla, my daughter, did all the bagging and loading of groceries into the car. I felt like a queen with my three beautiful ladies-in-waiting. It was worth hurting my foot to get this kind of royal treatment.

Perhaps this is why the Lord is so anxious for us to get to heaven. He's preparing a place for us there, and I get the impression that it will be a place fit for a king. He knows we have been through a lot on this planet of sin. He will do all He can to make up for what we have suffered. And all that suffering will require some pretty grand royal treatment.

As I felt nothing but praise and joy for my three benefactors today, we will sing glorious praise to our Lord Jesus and throw our crowns at His feet in appreciation for our heavenly reward. It will be worth more than the hurt foot. It will make up for a lifetime of pain.

Share a Jesus "Cookie"

Why, oh why, did I try to do all my errands in one day? They just seemed to fall out of the sky from nowhere. After all week hibernating pretty close to home, today I was barely home long enough to grab a banana for lunch.

I was particularly intrigued with all the grocery shoppers getting in their pre-snowstorm purchases before the storm hits tomorrow. This was more than the normal Friday-before-the-weekend rush. People were waiting in line so long that one of the employees came around passing out cookies to shoppers and apologizing for the long wait. Most everyone took a cookie with a smile. It did seem to sweeten up the atmosphere.

That employee reminded me of the duty of every Christian. Our Christian duty is to share a Jesus "cookie" with those waiting for the big event of His Second Coming. There were so many people packed in that store today, waiting in the checkout lines, but it only took the effort of one employee to lighten up the mood of almost everyone there. We Christians may be small in number, but our influence, when sweetened by the lovely Lord Jesus, can make all the difference to a dying world.

True Sisters

The other day I was shopping in the store with my daughter and two granddaughters. I saw some house slippers that fit the oldest granddaughter, but not the youngest one. So, I got the ones for the three-year-old and not the one-year-old. Figuring she wasn't aware enough yet to mind not getting something when her sister did.

I was rather surprised to have her mother tell me as soon as they got to their car that the older sister was upset that little sister didn't get something too. I hadn't counted on her awareness and sensitivity to the needs of her sister.

There are many people who depend on others to look after their needs. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, yet how often are we overlooking the fact that we have plenty and they are struggling? Lord, help me to be sensitive to the needs of those around me, and not focused on my own desires and wishes, especially during this holiday season.

Frosty the Snowman Warmed Me Up

Tonight I happened to be in a department store, had made my purchases, and was waiting for someone I was with to finish shopping. Sitting there, I had time to notice the music playing on the intercom, and you guessed it, it was Christmas music.

Maybe because it's so early in the season, but I was rather enjoying the mood it was designed to create. How can you not smile at "Frosty, the Snowman", I mean the old Burl Ives version from when I was a kid? Forget that the rationale behind the music was to prepare you to start your Christmas shopping and spend all your money, before the mad December rush.

But then my thoughts went to another preparation time, one we are asked to make every week. On Friday, called the preparation day in the Bible, we are called to prepare our homes for the Sabbath. But isn't God mostly interested in the preparation of our hearts?

Next week, I'm going to make sure I listen to some good quality worship music WHILE I busy myself with the many Friday housekeeping chores, so my heart and spirit will also be prepared for the sacred event of the Sabbath. Music--let it create your mood too!

Food for Thought...and Service

Today I started my monthly grocery shopping and once again tried to keep one rule in mind, due to working with very limited funds. There's a verse in Isaiah 55:2 that says, "Why do you spend money on what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance."

Now I realize in context this is speaking about listening to God, and therefore feeding on His Word, but I think we can also take to heart the part about eating what is good and apply it to the vast food offerings we have in our stores these days. So much of it is not good and in some cases could hardly even be considered "real" bread or food.

Making wise food choices will keep our minds sharp and our bodies fit, which in turn equips us for better service to God. Let's honor Him in the grocery store and in our kitchens and you'll find as I have, that you CAN eat  healthy on a very tight budget. Dean and I, on retirement earnings, are eating better than we ever have, and we thank God for continuing to help us improve our diets.