Close Encounters of the Grocery Kind

I was standing in the aisle with the canned veggies and soups, and I heard a voice say, "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!  I was just here a couple days ago and that rice was 19 cents cheaper!" I looked around me, not sure who he was talking to, and then realized there was nobody else in the aisle but myself and the man lamenting about the cost of rice.

Suddenly, as if we'd known each other for ages, he began telling me how much it cost to put diesel in his truck this morning, that he's trying to retire, that he travels all over the country for leisure, and that he's thinking of going back to work.

While my toddler thrashed around in the grocery cart, yowling at the fact that we stopped moving, I tried to figure out why this man had chosen me to share his troubles.  Why me, Lord? What was the purpose of this conversation?  I tried not to look at my watch. Perhaps this was a divine appointment.

He continued on, and I silently prayed for an appropriate answer to give him when he asked, "What is this world coming to?  I mean, look at your child.  How is he going to be able to support himself?  I hope you're not planning on having any more children...I mean, it's so expensive these days to just LIVE!  I told my brother that he should stop having kids.  He can't afford to have any more!"

(Yes.  These are actual comments.  Verbatim.)

I simply said, "You know, sir, I don't have the answers for any of this.  I, too, am troubled by the cost of gas prices, the rising food costs, and the difficulty of this economy.  Sometimes I worry, but this I can tell you for sure:  I serve a sovereign God who knows what He's doing. He is in control!  That's the only thing I know for SURE."

He stepped back a second and said, "Well.  I certainly hope that He does something soon, because this world is going to ____. "

(I'll let you fill in the blank.  This is a G-rated blog.)

Off he turned and down the next aisle he went while I stood there staring at the chicken broth...debating which was cheapest and whether or not it was best to buy it in the large can or individual small ones.

And then I said another prayer.

And I thanked Him that He is in control. No matter our circumstances.  No matter what fuel costs.  No matter who He chooses for the next President.  

And I looked at my baby boy squirming and whining in the cart and said, "God will always take care of us, my boy.  Don't you worry.  Of that we can be sure."