Thanksgiving shopping!
Nothing quite like it. Not Black Friday, but Sunny Yellow Monday! The grocery store! Shopping for the big meal, the most important one of the year. Yes, Christmas is big, too, but it is diluted by all the presents and the baby Jesus' birth. My Mom always loved Thanksgiving best because it was like Christmas without the gifts! The emphasis is more on family and food!!!
This post is for those of you who participate in this crazy ritual. And if you don't, this is a glimpse into what your wife, sister, mom or maybe dad does. You talk about it for weeks, think about it even in church where you jot down a list, research new recipes for sweet potatoes, pull out old reliable recipes, talk about it more, make a game plan, get out the trusty yellow pad and make your final list and "ta da!" You are at the grocery store! Finally! Game face, shopping face, no distractions, no ambling! And what? No fresh cranberries!!!
As I was looking for cranberries, I couldn't help but notice two middle-aged black ladies shopping together. I only mention their race because of an important fact I learned when I taught school in inner city Houston. Black funerals. That is what they were discussing, preparation for a funeral reception for 200 people! Also, the funerals in this society can last for days. They had a funeral to plan and Thanksgiving dinner, too!!! My problems paled in comparison! But I noted their happy demeanor, quickly pointing me to the hiding cranberries, and giving me some suggestions. They were delightful as they went about this huge challenge together. You see, people in the grocery store at this time of year are all in the same boat, and there is a common kindness that you certainly won't see on Black Friday. When you go (if you still have this chore to do), look around for the lost husband looking for marshmallows, or the elderly woman who can't reach so high or (my favorite) the newly retired man "helping" his wife! They are there and like me, could probably use a hand!
Give out the living water today, in kindness! It certainly made my day to receive some help from my new friends. Still praying they get the meals done in time!
"This is what God commands:...that we love each other." 1 John: 3:23
Pray: Father, help us to be aware of the needs of those around us and to give out Your love to someone today.
Amen
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