Sauntering through the baking aisle at the grocery store, my eyes landed on my favorite brownie mix. (Many say I make the best brownies. Shock is shown on their faces when I reveal they’re from a box!) Lo and behold, the price had gone up 25 cents per box from my purchase two weeks ago.
“What?? 25 cents?? Are you serious??”
That more than frustrated me. I was ticked.
I begrudgingly dropped two boxes of brownie mix in my cart.
“Great. My grocery bill just went up 50 cents!”
Perusing the remaining aisles, I grew more upset. I could feel it. I was about to have a meltdown. The quicker I could check out, and remove myself from the store, the better. This brownie experience was about to put me over the edge.
Of course I didn’t say anything to the teenager behind the checkout counter. It wasn’t his fault my bill was 50 cents more. I hid my frustration, politely paid for my groceries, and walked out of the store.
With groceries loaded behind me, I sat in the driver’s seat, my forehead leaning on the steering wheel.
“Why did I get so worked up over those brownies? That wasn’t me in there.”
No, that wasn’t me. I reminded myself of Rob Lowe in the Direct TV commercials. In the baking aisle wasn’t the rational, put together me… that was the hurt and offended me.
Someone had recently hurt my feelings, and in turn, hurt my heart. I was reacting out of bruised emotions, as I wasn’t able to deal with hurtful situation in a manner to where I could heal and let it go. I normally wouldn’t have let 50 cents send me over the edge like that!
Forehead still resting on the steering wheel, I prayed. “Father, I can’t handle this hurt. With it, I’m not who I normally am. Show me what I’m to do with it.”
And before I unloaded the groceries at home, He did.
Friend, is there something causing you to be someone other than the real you? Has a particular situation affected your attitude, or your responses? Is there a hurt or an experience you’re navigating through? What’s one thing you can do today to help you move forward?
Doing so might just prevent you from having a meltdown in the baking aisle.
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22
Next time the brownie mixes go on sale, you can believe I’ll be stocking up on them. Whew! And the next time I’m faced with a hurtful situation, I’ll be reminded to take it to the Lord right away.
Thanks for hanging out with me a few moments today.
Julie
Oh friend! It is so easy to react when someone has treated us unfairly. But as my colleague reminded me “The issue is usually not the issue.” Love you! And you better stock up on those brownie mixes when they go on sale again! 🙂
Amen, Tara! Your colleague is wise. Love you too, my friend! Thanks for being here!
Good stuff my dear! If only “we” (I) could remember to take it to the Lord first and immediately every time…..I keep practicing, keep growing. Thank You!