A Family Shopping (01/28/224)

Yesterday, as I was shopping for my own household, I encountered a family of 9 shopping. They weren’t all together; they’d fanned out in teams. The two oldest boys were on the hunt together. I spotted them first in the specialty chips and pretzel section. Next, I encountered Dad and the youngest. Down the next aisle, I met the youngest boy with Mom, audibly adding the costs of his finds in his basket and suggesting “gluten-free” treats. Finally, I happened into the crackers and bars aisle where I witnessed the negotiations of the three oldest girls as they tried to settle on the best items for their search. I spoke to the oldest who explained, “We’re shopping for the food pantry.” This wasn’t just a Saturday morning grocery run for the family, this was a mission.

It will be a long time before I forget the joy on the faces of those children ranging in age from 1 to 12. They were looking for things for others, keeping in mind what they themselves liked. What a wonderful exercise in doing good for others and considering the needs of others. How I wished I had thought of this when my own children were younger.

Our all-loving LORD created us in love, through love, for love. As I watched that family shop, it was like watching love personified. And I recognized all over again through their example that love is to be the reason for life and for our choices and actions. I stood in the meat aisle, looking at this family, realizing how a septet of children most powerfully demonstrated “love one another as I have loved you.”

I thank the LORD for being able to observe the loving witness of this family. I thanked the LORD for this family that brings so much to our faith community and our times of worship. I thanked the LORD for the joy I saw in these children and their parents; I begged the LORD for the grace to be a witness to His love to others as this family had witnessed to me.

As we continue our journeys of faith, buoyed by hope and fueled by love, let us take the time to do the ordinary that demonstrates extraordinary love. Let us be willing to give of ourselves, our time, our talents, and our treasures to make the world a better and more loving home in the name of our LORD. Let us listen to the voice of the Spirit, go where we are sent, realizing that meaningful missions don’t have to be to foreign lands, they may be to the grocery store.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.