New & Improved (05/08/2026)

Over the last year, the local grocery store decided to shake things up in the refrigerated and frozen sections. I must admit it is more ascetically pleasing to the eye, but they have to realize that for a while the shoppers won’t notice because they’ll be in a panic like I was yesterday in search of the item that is no longer where it used to be.  Let’s just say I realized that “new and improved” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Luckily, I was able to locate all my items from those sections. Fortunately, I had a list that I was crossing items off when the search was complete. As I walked and searched, I recalled my father telling me once or twice that stores do that on purpose; as shoppers search, they come across items that appeal to them even though they aren’t on the list. Impulse buying increases when shoppers are “searching.”

I got to thinking about the applications of this lesson beyond the grocery store. There’s a great deal to be said for a routine or for structure. However, I realized that sometimes I can get too attached to the familiar to the detriment of change.  As I applied it to my spiritual journey. I acknowledge that I have a spiritual routine that if I’m not careful can become a “rut.”  My journey, I admitted to myself, is about perpetual change on my part – constantly turning to Christ – constant conversion. As I thought about it yesterday, I realized that all too often I’m telling the LORD where we should go rather than allowing the LORD to direct me.

How about you? Is your spiritual regimen locked down? Are you giving the LORD room to redirect you? Are you giving yourself room to “turn”?

We are blessed with the gift of the Spirit. Christ promised the Spirit as our Advocate, our helper, our guide. Are we open to where the Spirit is trying to lead us? Do we seek the Spirit’s direction? Do we ask for direction but then fail to allow time for direction or give room for change? Are we more interested in checking items off than in finding surprises meant for us?

Our spiritual journey is meant to be a relationship with our loving and all present LORD shared with others along the way. This calls for openness to direction as well as to change. May this day be a day blessed with meaningful encounters with our LORD and with our sisters and brothers along the way. May this day bring us the opportunity to turn anew to our LORD.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.