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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Shopping (03/01/07)
COMPARISON SHOPPING


It was that dreaded time once again. Time to try and get excited about grocery shopping. I searched and located my long and well thought out shopping list for the coming week. Pocketing the list, I began my grumbling once again as I headed out to the car. I did not look forward to loading the car up with groceries and heading home, only to face the task of unloading the car and restocking the pantry shelves once again.

Have you ever had those moments when you know you are grumbling about something that you really should be thankful for? Well, that about describes me in regards to grocery shopping. It obviously is not my favorite outing. I decided to ask God to show me reasons that I should be grateful during my weekly grocery trip. As only God can do, I instantly had a large screen movie playing against the walls of my mind.

With movie reels spinning the scene below me began to unfold. I was looking down at a small, isolated mud hut, somewhere in Africa. As I looked closely I could see a woman arise in the dark and carefully check her four children sleeping close to her mat. Her thoughts were instantly on their father, her husband, who was tragically taken from them three long months ago. The woman turned and quietly moved to a spot, close to the thin walls of the hut. She slowly started scraping the dirt floor until it revealed two small coins she had safely hidden there. Picking up a straw basket placed near the door the woman stepped outside of the hut and carefully tucked the two coins into the folds of her clothing. She turned for one last look at her precious children and asked God to watch over them throughout the day.

The woman quickly turned down the path to start the ten-mile walk towards the closest market. She was hoping to make good time, which would allow her to miss the heat of the day. As the woman started walking her thoughts turned to God. She began to think of all the things she was thankful for. Those four precious, healthy children, her hut that protected her family each night, those two coins her fingers constantly caressed, and the beautiful sunrise that God was unfolding before her. How blessed she was.

By the time she reached the market most of the wares had been sold to those that had arrived earlier. Her heart sped up with excitement when she saw that there was still enough for her family. The woman careful selected the produce that seemed the least bruised and least spoiled by the heat of the day. As she placed each item in her basket she thanked God for his provisions, enough food for another week. Carefully she unfolded the coins and happily paid the vendor. The woman turned and her steps were once again heading quickly towards home. A smile had spread across her face and joy filled her heart as she thought of arriving back home and sharing the good news with her children that God had once again filled all their needs.

The movie God was showing me stopped at that scene and I was suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of my ungratefulness and failure to thank God for providing so much for my family and I. As the woman had placed each item thankfully into her basket my thoughts had turned to a picture of me mindlessly selecting and thoughtlessly loading my cart full of the many selections that were daily available to me. There were other things God began to reveal that I had been taking for granted; the nearby medical clinic and hospital, the local school, the church, my home, my husband and family. I have so much.

Oh, Lord. I thank you for allowing me to see this woman and for allowing me to see the abundant provisions you have continually supplied me. Please give me eyes to see the many blessings you daily provide and may I never forget to be always thankful.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jacquelyn Horne
03/10/07
What a great article on being thankful. Watch the "I" and "me" rule. But a great story in all.
Patty Wysong
03/13/07
What an excellent reminder! Too often we take Everything for granted!! Good job and keep writing!!
Sara Harricharan
03/15/07
Wow! Lots happening here. I like the touch of having the 'vision-like movie'. I especially felt drawn to the story of the African woman. You did a great job and I'll pass on a tip given to me by a good friend. Try to use more present tense to keep your reader reading. Instead of searched. Use searching. and work with the story to make it come alive in full color an dolby surround sound. ^_^ Great writing!
Donna Powers
03/15/07
A very good reminder of all we should be grateful for. I love your title; it definitely is just right for your story. You described the poor woman's situation very well. Good job!
Donna Powers
03/15/07
A very good reminder of all we should be grateful for. I love your title; it definitely is just right for your story. You described the poor woman's situation very well. Good job!
Julie Arduini
03/16/07
Loved the title, really loved the line about the movie screen in the mind starting to play. Great work, congrats on the Level One 12th placement!!
Deborah Porter 
03/21/07
Oh my! Kathy, you must be my secret twin. That first paragraph is me - to perfection (or imperfection, I guess). :-) I now keep my laptop on when I'm in the kitchen and enter my shopping list straight onto a home shop service provided by one of our large supermarkets. Anything to save time and the mind-numbing boredom of having to go grocery shopping AGAIN.

BUT, having said that, I must admit that you have really made me stop and think about my attitude. How blessed we are to have supermarkets so close and such a range of groceries to choose from (not to mention the money to be able to buy ourselves little treats on impulse). I will never look at this task in quite the same light.

I just wanted to echo Chrissy's congratulations on doing so well in the Shopping Challenge. Placing 12th in level 1 is really quite an achievement. This level always receives the most entries, and the competition is quite intense. So you did extremely well. I can see loads of potential in you, and will look forward to seeing more of you in the Challenge in the future.

With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator and Editor, FaithWriters' Magazine)