Grateful for groceries

Yesterday while shopping for the family I head over to our local Smiths. While wandering the store for items, a few thoughts and memories stirred me.

The first thought sent me back 3.5 decades to Michigan. I recall my Mom bringing us with her to Meijers for grocery shopping. I recall her parking in the back of Meijers where there were fewer people, then heading in to load the cart with food supplies to feed the eight of us. I remember a sense of dread and uneasiness as we'd approach the cashier. Mom would first unload the essentials, and begin asking the cashier to give us a total. As the total drew nearer to the amount of money she had, she would begin adding or taking things out so as not to go over the actual amount of money she had in her hand or bank account. It seemed a few times (or many, just a sense of "oftenness") that her check would be rejected and we'd have to pay a different way or or walk away. I'm grateful for a Mom who would endure a lifetime of humiliation for her family. Who would stare it straight in the eyes day after day. And today, I'm even more grateful that I can walk into any store, with a need for almost anything, and buy it if I need it. I'm almost embarrassed that my Mom had it so poorly, and I have it so nicely. I hope to never forget what my mom endured for us. I also hope to never forget where I came from, and where I've come - all thanks to a loving Heavenly Father who has taken my humble family and made us better.

The second thought was this: I'm so grateful to live in this country, at this time, with this level of peace and prosperity. While walking through that store I tried almost to see it as someone from another country might: full to the brim with the freshest foods, the greatest variety, the most quantity. Everything at my fingertips, and at a very good price. I felt guilty - I who have so much, and others, who have so little. It doesn't seem fair, and it makes me nervous to know what God expects of me versus those who have so little. But, in that moment all that I felt was a genuine sense of awe and gratitude. I hope that's a good start.