The Blessed Quarantine - Taking Stock
Before we go grocery shopping we pretty much always take stock of what we have in the fridge, freezer and pantry. I'm sure that's a pretty common practice because no one wants to buy a pack of celery only to get home and discover you have a full one in the fridge. Seriously, no one needs that much celery. On the other hand, it's really annoying when I think we have lemons, so I don't buy any, then when I get home...nope, no lemons. So, there is an inventory done before we leave the house. I keep saying we because my husband and I usually grocery shop together. In fact, before the quarantine, it was a family event (often much to the dismay of female offspring - she does not see the joy in this activity). I'm sure we aren't the only house that does this, but this wasn't always how I shopped.
There was a time in my life that I just went to the store, bought what ever I wanted to have in the house and didn't really worry about it. This wasn't really a big deal, because it was before kids (possibly even before Husband) so there were very few surprises. I usually knew if I finished the celery or the lemons and since no one else finished things I didn't have to check in on what was there. Seldom did I even think about what was or wasn't in the fridge, except maybe in the adult beverages aisle. I also had no issue with "running to the store" on the way home from the gym (which I went to at least 6 days a week). I didn't understand why people complained about grocery shopping or stopping at the store. I mean what's the big deal, you just pop in and grab what ever you need and then you go home.
Twenty years and two kids later, I kind of get it. I am not a fan of going to the grocery store more than once in a week. The thought of popping into the store is a thought that makes me really take a mental inventory of what that means. Well, grocery shopping with my husband is something I hadn't done in weeks until this past Sunday. We decided we were going to go together and there was unusual joy in that idea. I found myself looking in the fridge and freezer the day before to start making a shopping list (I love lists...I often ignore or misplace the list, but I LOVE to make them). It was like I was planning some great adventure.
On Saturday night, as we were laying down for bed, Husband (by the way, this is my official term of endearment for him) and I were talking about finances and stuff we need/want (we are fortunate enough to still be able to talk about things we want). The conversation turned to donations that we typically make and I mentioned that we should send a check to the church because we haven't sent one for April. This led to a conversation about Job and patience/trust. At some point in this conversation I made the comment that I had everything I really needed. I'm not really sure where/how that part started, remember we were laying down for bed, so my brain was probably a little off, but I remember saying "really, I have everything I need. I have a family that loves me, a roof over my head, food on my table and I still get to do my job...or at least try to do my job". Husband just sort of looked at me, almost like he was waiting for me to say something sarcastic (I have no idea why would expect me to be sarcastic - I'm never sarcastic). I just smiled and reiterated that I really do have everything that I need.
As I dozed off, I had a very sweet peace that I haven't felt much lately. When I truly take stock of my life, I am extremely fortunate. I have a very loving family who really wants to spend time together (to include Zoom happy hour with my brothers and sisters in law - who are more like sisters), a support network that I can lean on in pretty much any situation, a roof over my head, food on my table and a job that I get to flounder my way through as I figure out how to do it right now. I have a faith that reminds me regularly that everything will be ok. Maybe not the same ok as before, but ok, none the less. I know that I am fortunate. I know that not everyone is in this same situation. I am extremely thankful for how fortunate I am and I am even more thankful for the fact that in that moment, as I was being a little bit silly with my husband during a meandering conversation, God made me pause and really take stock, not of the items in the fridge, freezer and pantry, but of what really matters. The people that God has brought into my life are the most important thing in my life and none of them are here by accident. If I remember that fact, God will take care of the rest of it.
There was a time in my life that I just went to the store, bought what ever I wanted to have in the house and didn't really worry about it. This wasn't really a big deal, because it was before kids (possibly even before Husband) so there were very few surprises. I usually knew if I finished the celery or the lemons and since no one else finished things I didn't have to check in on what was there. Seldom did I even think about what was or wasn't in the fridge, except maybe in the adult beverages aisle. I also had no issue with "running to the store" on the way home from the gym (which I went to at least 6 days a week). I didn't understand why people complained about grocery shopping or stopping at the store. I mean what's the big deal, you just pop in and grab what ever you need and then you go home.
Twenty years and two kids later, I kind of get it. I am not a fan of going to the grocery store more than once in a week. The thought of popping into the store is a thought that makes me really take a mental inventory of what that means. Well, grocery shopping with my husband is something I hadn't done in weeks until this past Sunday. We decided we were going to go together and there was unusual joy in that idea. I found myself looking in the fridge and freezer the day before to start making a shopping list (I love lists...I often ignore or misplace the list, but I LOVE to make them). It was like I was planning some great adventure.
On Saturday night, as we were laying down for bed, Husband (by the way, this is my official term of endearment for him) and I were talking about finances and stuff we need/want (we are fortunate enough to still be able to talk about things we want). The conversation turned to donations that we typically make and I mentioned that we should send a check to the church because we haven't sent one for April. This led to a conversation about Job and patience/trust. At some point in this conversation I made the comment that I had everything I really needed. I'm not really sure where/how that part started, remember we were laying down for bed, so my brain was probably a little off, but I remember saying "really, I have everything I need. I have a family that loves me, a roof over my head, food on my table and I still get to do my job...or at least try to do my job". Husband just sort of looked at me, almost like he was waiting for me to say something sarcastic (I have no idea why would expect me to be sarcastic - I'm never sarcastic). I just smiled and reiterated that I really do have everything that I need.
As I dozed off, I had a very sweet peace that I haven't felt much lately. When I truly take stock of my life, I am extremely fortunate. I have a very loving family who really wants to spend time together (to include Zoom happy hour with my brothers and sisters in law - who are more like sisters), a support network that I can lean on in pretty much any situation, a roof over my head, food on my table and a job that I get to flounder my way through as I figure out how to do it right now. I have a faith that reminds me regularly that everything will be ok. Maybe not the same ok as before, but ok, none the less. I know that I am fortunate. I know that not everyone is in this same situation. I am extremely thankful for how fortunate I am and I am even more thankful for the fact that in that moment, as I was being a little bit silly with my husband during a meandering conversation, God made me pause and really take stock, not of the items in the fridge, freezer and pantry, but of what really matters. The people that God has brought into my life are the most important thing in my life and none of them are here by accident. If I remember that fact, God will take care of the rest of it.
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