Last night I went to Wal-Mart.
And waited in line.
First at the pharmacy so I could buy some Sudafed-and IΒ will break in here to state that I wish people would just be honest and do what is right. I get really tired of having to stand in line, show my driver’s licence, and sign my name just so I can buy a box of Sudafed or Advil Cold & Sinus. Dishonest people make life so much more difficult for everyone else. The pharmacies have my sympathies. Ok-backΒ in line.Β In line to checkout at the front of the store. Of the fourteen check-out lanes that our Wal-Mart store boasts, four of them were open. All with large lines I might add.
First, I felt a little annoyed that Wal-Mart didn’t have more cashiers working and that I was obviously just going to have to wait.
Then, as I stood in line I started looking around and musing. I looked at all the shelves behind the cashiers filled with an abundance. Big tubs of round cheese puffs. Bags of M&M’s in fall colors. Bottles of apple juice. Bags of miniature Snickers. Rubbermaid boxes. Not just two or three of each thing, but many of each. I, and all the otherΒ people in line, could have added one or two of each item to our purchases and we would not have completely emptied the shelves. And in comparison to many other Wal-Marts, ours is a small store.
Next, I noticed the items lining the aisle thatΒ I was waiting in line in. Magazines. Some boasting great tips and tricks.Β Always some shouting news about celebrities. Gum. Candy. Snacks. Trinkety Toys.
Then, I took notice of the ladyΒ checking out in front of me. I watched as the cashier scanned the customer’s Tide, Doritos, Special Kitty food, grapes, onions, yogurt, Pepsi, and quite a few various other items.
I was simply struck with the abundance around me.Β We have been readingΒ Kisses from KatieΒ and as I looked around our Wal-Mart store, I thought of Katie and her Uganda. I thought of what we read earlier in the afternoon. About MaseseΒ and theΒ poverty and squalor and how the people there pick through the trash looking for something to eat. How they don’t even have the option to stand in line to buy Sudafed to help with allergies.
And then there’s me. Me. Always with a list of things I’d like to have. Things that would make life easier or a little more fun. Me, who already has so much ease. Why wasn’t I born in a place where I would have to pick through trash hoping to find a little something for my empty tummy?
I looked around at all the shoppers waiting in line so they could buy their stuff. I thought about how I buy into the notion that stuff will make me happy.Β (I’m not sure if the pun was intendedΒ or not.) And if stuff makes us happy, that store should’veΒ been full of very happy people. Everyone looked much like I felt. Trying to be nice and polite, but wondering why Wal-Mart couldn’t open a few more registers because I am just wanting to get through line and be on my way to the next thing on my agenda.
And I thought of the old woman who Katie spoke about who owned nothing of any earthly value, yet was full of joy because of the Jesus she knew.
I filled my dishwasher with dirty dishes after I got home and I set it to start automatically in two hours and I thought about the luxury this dishwasher is. And how I have three meals every day. And dirty dishes to fill the dishwasher with every day. And I am thankful. I like my comfortable life. I don’t think I could live in Uganda. But my heart is filledΒ with compassion for the many, many people all over the world living in extreme need and I don’t want to forget. I don’t want to forget to beΒ thankful for the blessings that are heaped on me and I don’t want to forget to pray for the needyΒ and I don’t want to forget to give. I don’t want to forget that as a Christian, I am responsible.
This song keeps echoing through my mind that my daughter has been singing. A song she learned when she attended VBS with her cousins in Ohio.
Jehoveh-Jirah, my Provider,Β His grace is sufficientΒ for me, for me, for me.
God shall supply all our needs, According to His riches in glory, He will give His angels guard over me, Jehovah-Jireh cares for me.
Amen. And He cares for every single person. Every person in line at Wal-Mart. Every person who is hungry. Every person everywhere.
Linking up at:
* I will note that Wal-Mart did open a fewΒ more registers while I was waiting in line. π
*amazon link is my affiliate
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012
I just had similar thoughts yesterday as I was at the grocery store bemoaning the fact that I didn’t have enough money to buy more of what I wanted. I have clean, cool water coming out of a tap in my kitchen….what can I possibly complain about? God is stretching me right now for sure.
My husband and I have discussed on different occasions WHEN would we get to the point that we would say as Esau did, “I have enough.” And we do wonder when? Still learning……
Amen. I can get so frustrated having to wait in line when there are so many other check outs they could open. Why have that many if you aren’t going to use them??!! One more reason I just stay home! I have reminded myself over and over that at least I have a place to stand in line to get whatever I need – at least for now!
Yep. I agree. I’ve often thought about how I go to the store and they usually have what I’m wanting. I don’t find just a few items on the shelves or have to rush or compete with other people to get something to eat.
Thanks for the reminder! I get to go shopping with 2 dear longtime friends tomorrow. I’ve almost been dreading it b/c of my terribly tight budget…here’s to enjoying the beautiful blessing of friendship and realizing the many material blessings we undeservedly have. Walmart is NOT my favorite store…but go there I do, and try to pass around smiles. I usually get lots of middle aged lower income ladies who love to coo at the toddler/young children. That’s another challenge – to be nice when sometimes I just want to get on with it.
Enjoy your new school year, the books look like fun!
Your day with friends sounds like a fun and special time! I would love to have been able to hop in and go along.
Wal-Mart is not my favorite either, but I am glad to have it since we don’t have a lot of options that are close to us.
I will confess that sometimes I miss having babies/toddlers who the other shoppers like to talk to. π Life is ever flowing on and we can never fully appreciate the stage we’re at when we’re in it.
Waiting in line is not a favorite thing of mine! And those empty check-outs are my pet peeve. I like your reminder that we can use these times to think of our blessings and thank God for them, remembering those who have so little of what we take for granted.
I don’t like to wait either, but I am trying{slowly} to remember that those moments of waiting can be well-used to breathe a few prayers.
I never complain about grocery shopping. ever. Since, I grew up on a grain farm + have a husband involved in ag and living in CA {where most of our produce is trucked in from}…I never, never take it for granted. We are blessed over & over to have an abundance of food. What a privilege we have as moms to be able to feed our children & see them thrive.
I’m still in awe over our grocery stores—aisles & aisles.
I try to start conversations with the clerks–how their day is going–if they have kids at home, when their shift is done. {P.S. Kroger wins hands down at customer service and opening more lanes— π }
xo
kara
I’ve often thought about how it must feel to be a mother and have nothing to feed your children.
I much prefer shopping at Dillons{a Kroger affiliate}over Wal-Mart. I wait in line there too, sometimes, but I think they have great customer service!