Shopping is something I used to enjoy doing, but over the last few years it has not seemed as thrilling. Maybe it is because I no longer desire to shop the, what I call, teeny bop stores. I am getting older and probably past the prime of spending any amount of time perusing Hollister or Abercrombie and Fitch, even though they use my body for the models. Instead, I now resort to combining clothes and grocery shopping, which means some type of superstore like Wal-mart. I desperately needed new jeans so this afternoon I made my way to Super Wal-mart. I quickly located the men’s section and picked out a couple pair of jeans to try on. Next, I made my way to the fitting room where I checked in with a friendly lady who then showed me to the room. Before following her to the fitting room, I left my empty cart right outside the fitting area so I could retrieve it after trying on my clothes. Upon exiting the room, I became aware that someone had moved my cart to the other side of the isle. No problem. I threw my jeans in what I thought was my cart and began to push. Curses! Some loser had abandoned their cart with a bum wheel and stole my perfectly healthy one! Wal-Mart should have gone into lockdown so I could have found this inconsiderate person who is now dancing hand in hand with my shopping cart! In my opinion, there are very few things more annoying than pushing a cart which does not function properly.
In reality, I should be all to familiar with pushing something which does not function properly – me. Each day I am reminded that I do not function the way God originally intended. I am selfish, insensitive, dishonest, and the list could go on. I am broken. What is the solution? I’m not sure there is an easy answer or a quick-fix formula to this age-old dilemma, but there is one thing I know God appreciates – a heart which is humbled before Him. I think God opens His ears to the person who gets up every morning and acknowledges his weaknesses, inabilities, and sin. I believe God provides mercy to the individual whose prayer is “I need Your help” or “I can’t make it today without You.” Ultimately, “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
