Thursday, February 10, 2011

"Do Not Be Anxious About Anything. . . including grocery shopping."

What is the opposite of a "type a" personality? Whatever it is, I'll bet it labels me quite accurately. Sometimes, to my fault, I don't set goals, make lists, or have routine. Often, I won't even allow the weight of life's bigger issues or events to take full affect. Having two babies in fourteen months? No biggie. Moving across the country? Sounds good. My nature is to go with the flow and let it all roll right off my shoulders. Most of the time.

The one thing that makes me shake in my boots and shiver with anxiety is . . . grocery shopping. Ridiculous, right? I know. Something about the parking lots, the check-out lines, the knowledge of no matter how closely I follow my list I will still forget something, make me dread the most basic of errands.

Since moving out east I have explored each major grocery chain, hopeful one will feel "like home". It has not been so easy. Perhaps my expectations are too high or maybe I'm looking for something that does not exist. The weekly trip has become so much more of an "event" than necessary. I have to give myself a pep-talk and prepare myself for walking down the aisle of canned foods three times before I realize the tomatoes are two aisles over. Good grief.

The Bible tells me to not be anxious about anything, but rather, to pray. And Jesus himself tells his disciples that the Father already knows our needs and to seek his kingdom first. Worry and anxiety do not belong in the Christian life. It may seem an insignificant or silly struggle, but God can faithfully use my battle with grocery shopping to expose and rid me of sin in my daily living. I am thankful for yet another opportunity to learn from the seemingly mundane activities of being a homemaker.

I think I'll challenge my "type. . . non-a" personality and make a pro and con list of the local grocery stores. After all, we have to eat!



2 comments:

  1. Great blog, Ruthann. I remember grocery shopping with you in Langhorne! It was FUN!!! :-) I need to challenge my type "whatever" personality on many occasions and will be reminded of your fabulous and insightful blog. Good thing I don't stress too often because I am NOT a type - A. ;-)

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  2. Two things....
    First, I LOVE how you describe yourself so perfectly. How did we end up being friends?! I'd NEVER be able to go with the flow like you have, you're incredible.
    And second, most of my panic attacks are related to grocery stores too. You're definitely not alone! But thanks for the reminder about God's peace and desire for us to be anxiety-free! Love you!

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