I met God today. He was at the grocery store. Ok, so I can’t tell you what He looks like or anything, but I think we buy a lot of the same items. Much the same way you see the same people on every aisle - you’re going one way, they’re going the other, and by the time you’re finished shopping you feel like you’ve made a friend even though you’ve probably not said a word to each other - that’s the way I saw Him. He was on almost every aisle.
You see, this is the week the big bills are due, which leaves very little money for anything else. I had prayed earlier in the week, and I had my list made. So I head to the store with $100 to buy groceries and put some gas in my car. It occurred to me (by way of the Holy Spirit) that I should buy groceries first, just what was on my list, and put what was left in gas. My goal was to split it $70/$30.
His first appearance was in the pharmacy department. There was some over-the-counter medicine I needed. As is becoming more frequent, they were out of my usual generic brand - or so I thought. I knew I couldn’t afford the name brand, and I really didn’t want a smaller box for about the same price. A silent, "Please let there be one somewhere," and what do you think I saw?! On my tiptoes I could see one box on the very top shelf waaaaay in the back, laying on its side almost out of sight. "Thank you Jesus!" and a happy dance. (Hey, it’s Walmart, you can’t get embarrassed there.)
I make my way through my usual route, picking up my usual items. No surprises there. Then I get to the chip aisle. It was practically wiped out since it was the opening weekend of SEC football (Roll Tide). I had to look closely and make my decision carefully. I finally chose two bags, but for a slightly higher price than I had anticipated (8¢ per bag more). I was wondering how that would affect the rest of my shopping since I was on such a tight limit. What if all the other aisles were the same way?!
But I needn’t have worried. I would meet God again around the corner. I chuckled to myself. The price for the sugar I needed had actually dropped 10¢! I laughed out loud when the cooking oil, which normally costs well over $3.00, had dropped to $2.98! By the time I made it to cross the aisle to the Lunchables, I was practically in tears. They were still on sale!! Three weeks in a row - it was a miracle!!
There are other instances as I finished my shopping. A few cents here and there. I gave a "woohoo" every time, and by the time I was at the produce - I honestly have no idea how much the potatoes cost me. My grand total - $66.02. Not counting the two pennies, I was $4 under my goal ($70 for groceries, $30 for gas), and I had gotten everything on my list.
I guess God needed gas too, because He showed up at the pumps at the same time as me. I was considering only putting in the $30 and keeping the extra $4, just in case I needed something next week. Being the gentleman He is, He politely said, "No. You agreed to put whatever was left in gas. I gave you a list of everything you will need, and you’ve got those things. Trust me." I’m sure the clerk never had anybody pay for $34 in gas on pump #3, but today is special.
I have a peace as I drive home and put away my groceries. I don’t know if anybody else got sugar for $2.98 or Lunchables for $1. I’m not even going to look at my receipt to see if the cashier made a mistake. I have my own private stockboy with His own special price gun. And I can trust that He will always give me the right price.
