Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Finding true value at Publix

We finished checking out at Publix the other day, me and my traveling party, and an older man decided to give me all his best one liners, and I have heard them all. First he did the standard count with the face of disbelief...."One, two, THREE, FOUR, FIVE???" Then the predictable "ARE THEY ALL YOURS?" with the bewildered head shake. But he ended with a snide sounding (to me) "Well, that must be expensive." And for some reason that one bothered me. Not a lot of comments bother me. I know that most people are just curious, and have to say *something*. We are an anomaly, and I get it. I welcome it. I am proud of my family and grateful beyond words. But this one got under my skin. Maybe I was just tired, no, actually I am always tired. Maybe it's hormonal. But maybe... just maybe it was because I know what they are worth. I mean, for Pete's sake, did he say that to the woman in front of him, with $50,000 of plastic surgery? Or the woman behind him, with a bazillion dollar purse?? So immediately there I was, walking out the door, annoyed at myself for not thinking quicker on my feet with a smart response. So I pushed that basket, covered in children, out to the parking lot, trying to think of "comebacks" for the next time...I hate being unprepared ;) I came up with this one......."It is expensive, but we are really rich, so its fine" (fyi, this is untrue, as if you needed that disclaimer) But no, I hate to be that way. If I really am blessed beyond measure, then I am the one that should be extending grace to those that are frankly just clueless. And that's when it happened..I got it!! I had the perfect retort, which pretty much insured no one would ever say it to me again! But ….as God would have it, just after I had the last child seat-belted into our vehicle, who should be strolling by us in the parking lot, but that man!!! So I sweetly got his attention and smiling from ear to ear I said "They are not 'expensive', they are *valuable* and not only that, but they produce a much greater return then what most people invest in." Tadaaaa!!! Nice huh?? But yeah, this guy totally wasn't even listening to me, ha! I think he was still counting! He looked right passed me and my sage-like comment, into the car. “They are SO CUTE!” he said and we struck up a friendly conversation. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that my brilliant one liner, I was so proud of, pretty much hit the pavement flat. And it wasn't till today that I realized that the reminder..... of their worth....and how important our investment is....that reminder was for me.
8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:8-10