A Day in the Life

It was an unbelievable shopping trip. I started at Macy's designer clothing section and chose my favorite outfits. Then I picked up a couple bottles of cologne and some new cosmetics. I outfitted my linen closet with fresh towels and sheets, and tossed in a chic new loveseat (delivered next week) for my family room.

Turning right outside Macy's I picked up the diamond ring at Kay's I'd been drooling over, and then I stopped at the Shoebox and grabbed a pair of walking shoes, some sensible flats, and a pair of snappy dress shoes.

Then I snatched up a bag full of body lotions and room fresheners at Bath and Body, and swooped into Cinnabon for a dozen cinnamon rolls to go for breakfast the next morning.

The cost? Nothing. 

It happened in my imagination. 

And it got me thinking. 

What if this was my life? Would a shopping trip like this be exciting if I could do it whenever I want? Or is it exciting because I can't?

I got to thinking about God, and why He often parcels out blessings a little at a time. Think manna from heaven, and how it came each day. The Israelites couldn't stash it in their coolers or dry it for using next week. Some tried, but it didn't work. They really didn't know if the manna would come every morning, though that is exactly what did happen. 

I have been struggling through the expense of my daughter's wedding. I have no available savings and bit by bit, almost daily, things have been taken care of, sometimes in ways I could not have imagined. I do not know if it will all be provided for. I trust and hope so, but I have no special claim on God's provision. After all, innocent people are being beheaded, dying of cancer, contracting Ebola and a myriad of other catastrophes befall mankind perpetually. 

I also thought about how God, who is timeless, could have gifted us with our life all at once, as He experiences reality, but instead He gave us the gift of life in the day-tight compartments we all sometimes take for granted. Apparently one day at a time is the best way.

After I had glutted my imagination with a dream shopping trip, I had a sudden thought. 'I should get something for my husband.' Not once had I thought of shopping for anyone but myself. Well, I may have shared the cinnamon rolls. And even now it was guilt not pure altruism that brought me to think of him. I'd rather not share this with you, but I suspect I am not totally alone.

His mercies are new every morning. It's a good thing. I'll be needing a fresh supply each day.

Searching for Gravitas

My mother and I went shopping yesterday. Lots of mothers and daughters do that all the time, right? Not this pair. My mother doesn't really enjoy shopping. But, every now and then, it has to be done. We strategically  began with breakfast at Village Bakery, making it infinitely more palatable for Mom. She's almost always up for a breakfast out.


An omelet and three half-eaten pastries later we were on our way, doggie bag in hand, to a department store nearby.  We had done our best, and saved the rest to take home, my mother's motto being "No pastry left behind".

Seven months ago we had been sitting in the doctor's office facing her diagnosis of breast cancer. Imagining this scene would have been a stretch for both of us. At the time, I don't think we dared look ahead too far. But, here we were!

We scanned the aisles of Kohl's and she rejected one sweater on these grounds,"I want something with more gravitas than that." Gravitas can be defined as a quality of substance or depth of personality. Depth, substance. Everyone who knows my mother would agree she possesses both. She is Judi Dench, but nicely. Or perhaps Angela Lansbury with a fiercely spiritual side. And not every article of clothing is befitting for a woman of mature years. It might be either too frilly, too pale a color, or not enough hardware on it. Yes, my mother likes hardware. But hardware with the kind of  elegance that glitters, dazzles, blinds, maims...well you get the idea. The more bling, the better. We trolled the clearance jewelry as well, and again, gravitas was the deciding factor along with glitz and glam.Half price didn't hurt either.

Delightedly she found a bevy of sweaters and tops she could shine through the holidays with, as well as a bejeweled necklace that passed the test.

I couldn't have been happier!