It's warming up, but hats are still nice sometimes! Elijah and I went to "the big city" together last week for a shopping trip. We haven't attempted that for a long time, maybe even for a year. Our previous attempts have been anything but pleasant!
We've all heard many kids crying in Target, right? When Elijah cries, he also stiffens his body and fights loudly against being in his wheelchair. The embarrassment and frustration of not being able to do anything about it makes me want to run from the store in tears. At the very least, it makes for a harried woman rushing through the store, trying to ignore the glances, throwing necessary items into the cart -- not my definition of "fun"!!!
So I am amazed and very thankful to let you know that we successfully did a shopping trip together, and we even got to have fun! I got to shop for several hours, and Elijah was perfect (at least until we were mostly home). Thank you, Jesus!
On the drive home (nearly an hour) I started thinking about how God has changed my focus somewhat over the past years. I love to shop. I really, really love to shop. However, I haven't done much shopping for nearly four years. And I think I'm glad for that in a way, because I realize that lots and lots of my time has been spent thinking about what I would like to buy, or what clothes I would wear if I didn't have a budget, etc.
I'm sure I haven't seen the last of this issue in my life, but I'm thankful for God's work to change me. I am pretty certain that I would never have chosen to limit and deny myself of something I was so "addicted to"...but thankfully, the Father doesn't want shopping to come between me and Him!
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of an easy, enjoyable shopping trip. Help me remember that You are the reward and joy of life.
