The Remark

Thursday is my food shopping day.
It has been that way throughout my married life.
I took all five children to the grocery store when they were young.
They loved getting the things I needed from the shelves and placing them in the cart.

Now, I shop at two different grocery stores.
One is my regular grocery store and the other is an organic, whole foods market.
I go to the regular grocery store first, simply because it has my bank’s ATM.
Yes, I still pay for my groceries with cash.

My husband will always say, Why don’t you just charge the groceries?
I think he really wants to accumulate the points from the grocery totals.
His suggestion has never become a have to kind of thing.
I like having cash in my wallet throughout the week.

My stop to the ATM is always the first thing I do when I enter the store.
I take the same amount out each week.
A certain amount is just for groceries.
The rest is for any miscellaneous things that may come up.

Last Thursday, I entered the store as usual.
The ATM is on the left side, right after you enter the store.
I noticed that a woman was at the ATM.
I stood far back to give her the privacy she needed.

She was trying to deposit a check in the ATM and was having a bit of trouble.
I hoped that she would ask one of the bank tellers for assistance.
She just kept trying on her own.
I knew that after a few attempts, her card would be taken.

She never let it get that far.
With exasperation, she walked away.
It was what happened before I got to the ATM that was interesting.
It was a remark that perplexed me.

I came in the store and turned left to go to the ATM.
I hugged the left side of the aisle so I could maneuver myself in front of the ATM.
A man with a shopping cart was coming towards me.
He had finished his shopping and was leaving the store.

We did one of those dances that people do when you pass each other in a small space.
Since he was coming on the left side, I went to the right.
Since he assumed I was going to the ATM, he went to the right.
His move to the right made me move to the left again.

I smiled at the awkwardness.
He passed me and said, Do you think you live in Europe?
He walked quickly by me and headed out the door.
What? I thought to myself.

I had all the time in the world to ponder his remark.
While the woman tried to deposit her check, I thought about it.
Do you think you live in Europe?
What? I said again and again in my head.

I got my money and began to select my groceries.
I was on the baking aisle when it came to me.
I actually laughed out loud.
I was driving on the wrong side of the road! I said to myself.

I never knew that there were designated lanes in the grocery store.
I never knew that you had to follow the driving rules as you pushed your shopping cart.
It took me four aisles before I understood what the man said to me.
Four aisles!

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13,14)

There is only one way to Heaven.
Many people think because a road is well traveled, with many travelers, it is the right road.
They are mistaken.
The road to the Father is very narrow, with a small gate.

People think that a certain road must be the right way because everyone is on it.
They are mistaken.
The road to heaven is not glitzy with neon arrows pointing the way.
The road to Heaven is quiet and unobtrusive with fewer people traveling on it.

No, sir, I do not live in Europe.
But I am traveling.
I am only passing through.
I am journeying to my real Home.

There is a right road on which to travel.
Not many people travel on that road.
Not many people believe that there is only one Way to get to Heaven.
But there is; His name is Jesus.

No sir, I do not live in Europe.
I am Heaven bound.
One day, Jesus, the narrow road, will take me back to my Father.
Until that day, I journey on.

I journey on.

2 responses to “The Remark”

1. Good morning Gina ☀️
   Your Whisper was a very interesting Gift today.
   It is funny how there are times, when like you I find myself going against the stream in the grocery store, in the mall, in life. It’s funny isn’t it, and I have a feeling that the next time I find myself there, I’ll find myself remembering this writing.
   Your writing today was also an important reminder for me as we begin our Lenten Journey tomorrow. My life has become complicated and I find myself traveling so many narrow roads lately. I need to travel with faith and let His Sonlight guide me,
   I need to remind myself, as I do others, that on cloudy days, on stormy days The Sonlight is there even though I can’t visibly see it, lighting my way, walking with me on my Journey ☀️
   Thank you and God bless you
   Love and hugs to and your beautiful family ☀️

   Reply

   • Oh, Kathy, thank you. Your words touched my heart. I am so delighted that as we enter the season of Lent, the words comforted you and brought you even closer to Him. Love and blessings to all of your family as well.
     Gina

     Reply