I read an short article today about a mathmetician who claims he can mathmetically calculate which grocery story checkout line would be the fastest. Actually, the article didn't really offer any concrete solutions, but the comments that followed peaked my interest.

Most people complained about the little old ladies who wait until their order is completely totalled before they start looking through all their coupons, or try to find their checkbook, etc. Others complained about over-loaded moms with kids, distracted men on cell phones, chatty customers, rude checkers, and those who mis-use WIC coupons.

Some people offered good advice about the best times to shop, how to be organized before you get in the checkout line, and how we could help in the checkout process so everyone ends up a happy camper. I couldn't help feel that a big picture had been missed in all this conversation. I was going to leave this comment at the site, but decided I'd write it here on Xanga instead...

First of all, we live in a country where we can buy just about anything we want right off the shelves from at least half a dozen grocery store locations in just about any town. Isn't that good enough? To fret and stew about having to wait a few extra minutes behind an old lady or haggered mom is simply an indication of how spoiled and impatient we, as a culture, have become.

I suggest that we be glad we have groceries in our cart and that we can afford to buy them. Okay...maybe we can send bad vibes to people on cell phones and those who blatanly mis-use WIC, but seriously, check the attitude.

Second, I think part of the problem is that we plan to do too much in too little of time, so when people get in our way, we blame them for our stress.

My #1 rule: Never expect to "just run in and out" of a store (or post office, or bank, etc). I usually double or triple the time I think it should take. I apply this rule to just about any planning I do, and when delays beyond my control occur...no worries...I've planned for it. And when I find I have extra time, I let the haggered mom go ahead of me...she probably needs to get out of the store faster than I do. As for little old ladies...well, it just sucks getting old...you'll see.

Third, patience is a character trait that needs to be developed and hauled out and used from time-to-time. The impatience I feel behind a slow person isn't their fault; it's a character trait in me that apparently needs improving. A slow grocery store line is a perfect place to 1) find out how much or how little patience I have, and 2) it's the perfect time to take a deep breath and give my patience "muscles" a little workout.

Each time I do this, my ability to draw on patience becomes easier, my stress level diminishes, and I increase my chances of handling future patience-demanding circumstances with ease and grace.

Fourth, I've learned that when I'm walking close to God, I can trust that He has "my time in His hands." If I have planned as best as I can, but I've still run off schedule and the person in front of me isn't helping, and my anxiety isn't due to lack of patience, but more like a fear of being late...then I fall back on God's plan which doesn't always follow my schedule. Who knows what accident I've missed, or tragedy has been avoided, just because I was delayed in a store a few extra minutes.

Sometimes, all it takes is a reminder...patience, Nancy, patience...

Have a great weekend.

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There sure is a lot of stuff to pray for and about these days. Major fires are raging in California (especially in L.A.), a near-miss hurricane off the coast of Baja and town of Cabo, babies being born, friends (and friend's of friends) are sick, friend's family deaths, and the list goes on.

I pray in the shower, the car, at the dining room table, on my walks and on my runs (in between praying that I won't die). I pray while doing the laundry, paying the bills, playing with the dog, eating my lunch, and waiting for internet pages to load.

I pray for blessings on people, wisdom for difficult decisions, peace in trials, joy in pain; comfort, healing, and blankets of love; protection both physically and spiritually; jobs for the unemployed, specific needs that need to be met, special blessings, and good health.

I pray for friends, relatives, neighbors, and people I don't even know. Paul told us to "pray without ceasing" which has to be the case with all these requests, right?

God just loves it when we talk to him, and bring all this stuff to him as a child would.

I remember years ago, when the collection plate was about to be passed one Sunday. Right after our Pastor reminded everyone that this was "family business" and that it wasn't necessary for visitors to contribute, his then 5-year-old daughter said out loud, "Daddy, can I have some money to put in the basket?" I just loved the innocence of that request. That little girl knew her Daddy would provide for her, and best of all, it was her desire to bless God in return with whatever it was she was handed.

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." How cool to know our Heavenly Father can meet all our needs, and that because I know how much He loves me, I can pray with the same child-like faith and trust. I just hope I can hand it all back with as much adoration as little Johanna did that particular Sunday morning.


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Our neighbors up the road, have the most beautiful home and garden. I fed their cats for them while they were away a couple of weeks ago and couldn't resist taking my camera to capture some of what I'd see each day.

Exploring in their yard is an interesting and nostalgic experience for me because the house actually belonged to my folks at one time. My sister had gotten married in the backyard and up on the hillside I can still see the swings in the trees that my dad put up for my kids when they were little. I'm so thankful that this couple who bought the place cares so much, and has totally beautified the property...it really takes my breath away.

 

 

 

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I spent several hours this morning editing through the 1700+ images from Barbara and Anthony's wedding. What fun to relive the day. I ordered my own parent album, which is almost an exact duplicate of the album I made for B&A. I decided the images we used in that one were good enough for me...why spend more time mixing it up?

 

So, I hope you had a great weekend, and that your week has started out well.

 

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