It never ceases to amaze me. God's tender care extends to even the tiniest details of our lives. I used to depend on Jesus to do my food shopping for me. I know, that sounds a bit over the edge. But, it's true.
During one of our ultra-lean times, finding the resources to feed two hungry boys was difficult, at times impossible. I would shop at a supermarket, not known for it's low prices, but not having a car, it was the only one I could get to. And, it never failed. When I only had a dollar or two to spend on dinner, I'd go in there, and lo and behold, there would be some "manager's special" that just fit the bill (or rather my meager pocketbook). And decent food, too. A whole chicken for a dollar or two (enough for at least 2 meals). A large package of italian sausage (who can't find a hundred things to do with that! ;-) ) Large packages of ground beef. Always different, and always something I could afford. There were many-a-time when we would have had to go without had it not been for those unannounced, out-of-the-blue sales.
And then, there's the blueberries. I love blueberries. I mean, I LOVE blueberries. Pies, cakes, muffins, anything with blueberries. I noticed that sometimes, the "sale" included some form of blueberries. Not always, mind you. But when I was down, depressed, just in need of a hug, there would be some form of blueberries on sale - a bargain even I could afford. You see, Jesus knows I love blueberries. Just one of those things He and I understand.
Things have gotten better since then. And they've gotten worse. Sometimes lots worse. But, they're getting better again, much better than they have been in some time. Still, it can get tight from time to time. Like now. Just paid the bills, and there wasn't a whole lot left over. Enough to make it to payday, if we don't breathe ;-) Well, I went into that same supermarket chain (different store), with the same dilemma. I had just so much money, and had a number of things to get with it. After going up and down the aisles, looking for that special "sale" but not finding it, I figured Jesus was trying to teach me humility and mortification. Thank you, Jesus. So, I retraced my steps, and decided on spaghetti. That's pretty inexpensive, if you go with the store brands, and I found a package of Turkey Italian Sausage on sale. Not a great sale, but I could manage it if we did without a few other things.
I got to the checkout and chose one of those you-scan-it lanes. I only had a few things, and besides, I like the power. I scanned everything else, and came to the sausage. It scanned in a good bit more than what it should have. I deleted the item, and rescanned. Same higher price. Darn it! I might have to put it back. Well, vegetarian spaghetti is good, too. First, I went to the girl standing herd over the line, and told her of the problem. She said, they didn't put in the prices, the meat department does that. I reiterated that the sign said one price, and it scanned at another. She got out the sale circular and went over it. It wasn't there - must have been one of those unannounced sales. She called over the manager, and she went to the meat dept. to check on it. The manager came back with another of the same. It too scanned at the higher price. "Well," she said, "looks like you get it for free." "What!?" "If it scans at the wrong price, you get that item for free." Wow! Free. You can't get a better bargain than free.
All together now -- THANK YOU, JESUS!
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