The other day I totally humiliated myself. I try to limit my impulse grocery buying by using cash. Naturally, that means I need to calculate my purchases as I go. But the “2 for $5” and the “2 for $6” sucked me right in on this particular day. All those July 4th specials! I just picked up things along my merry way and proceeded to the counter, and you can guess what happened next.
I watched as my few items added up to $85 and something, and I only brought $65. My face reddened and my pride sunk swirling me down into the vortex of embarrassment. I think I mumbled over and over, “I’m so sorry” to the cashier while I picked out things to take off my bill. The one saving grace was that no one was behind me. Then what happened? They paged overhead for someone to come to the counter to take back stuff. Couldn’t they have waited until I was out the door, or at least out of the check out lane? Don’t tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor.
Strength to See Beyond My Want
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and on your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness.”
2 Peter 1:5-6
The Message reads like this, “So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder.”
Either way the “self-control” or “alert discipline” part I failed. Why? Because I bought in to what they were selling. Did I miss any of the things I put back? No, not unless you call missing the Velveeta for the hot sauce dip something I couldn’t live without.
Scripture says we must ever be alert that the “things” offered by the world may not be what God has in mind for us. We will only know the difference by supplying/adding/applying the words and knowledge of the faith God has given us. And yes, that means I need to add better. If I can’t handle the grocery shopping, what’s going to happen when something big comes along?
May my “want list” always be in accord with His “Word List.”
I watched as my few items added up to $85 and something, and I only brought $65. My face reddened and my pride sunk swirling me down into the vortex of embarrassment. I think I mumbled over and over, “I’m so sorry” to the cashier while I picked out things to take off my bill. The one saving grace was that no one was behind me. Then what happened? They paged overhead for someone to come to the counter to take back stuff. Couldn’t they have waited until I was out the door, or at least out of the check out lane? Don’t tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor.
Strength to See Beyond My Want
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and on your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness.”
2 Peter 1:5-6
The Message reads like this, “So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder.”
Either way the “self-control” or “alert discipline” part I failed. Why? Because I bought in to what they were selling. Did I miss any of the things I put back? No, not unless you call missing the Velveeta for the hot sauce dip something I couldn’t live without.
Scripture says we must ever be alert that the “things” offered by the world may not be what God has in mind for us. We will only know the difference by supplying/adding/applying the words and knowledge of the faith God has given us. And yes, that means I need to add better. If I can’t handle the grocery shopping, what’s going to happen when something big comes along?
May my “want list” always be in accord with His “Word List.”
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5 comments:
Oh Karen, This is such a good analogy...and how many times has my want list been longer than my need list. Thank you for reminding. I give thanks for you and your wisdom each day. Love to you
Karen: I appreciate you transparency and comfortable sense of humor! All of us have done this a dozen times or more.
Don't be too hard on yourself, dear. Factor in the wonderful grace of your loving Father.
Blessings, Jen
Audience of ONE
You are so gracious to share this story that we all have been through. What a great example and reminder!
Clella, God's wisdom has to sometimes slap me up the head for me to listen. Jeanette, thank you for your words of kindness. I would love to meet you one day. Jeanie, I'm glad my friends still love me even when I mess up.
luv to all
Okay, where shall we meet?
Starbuck's or Ruby Tuesday?
Perhaps halfway between FL and IL?
Even if we don't meet on earth, we will have time in Heaven to yakk our faces off! Yaaaayyyyy!
Love you,
Jen
Audience of ONE
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