The Find

Originally posted last November ... a timely reminder.

On this very typical Saturday bursting with creative energies, my perk seemed to have out-perked me a little sooner than expected. Price tag after price tag unloaded disappointment unto my sad little empty shopping cart and I started to sink in mid-hunt.

Are you familiar with the hunt; you know, shopping for that thing we must find at the expense of our sanity? Walk through the sparkly doors, immerse in alluring sights and fragrances, and before long our head seems to be spinning out of control. All this is typically followed by tag shock, nose-diving disappointment, out the same doors (which oddly never seem quite as sparkly on our way out), and back in our cars where we talk ourselves into doing it all over again because next door, ah yes, next door will be different. Whew!

Of course--perked or not--on I went through another set of doors relentlessly hunting after the find, but thank goodness that behind these doors awaited a most pleasant interruption to my madness.

I must have looked pretty dazed when something in the household section called out to me. The item--a jewelry torso--was not of any particular interest, but I could have sworn I heard it whisper, "Psst, over here." I mean it!

With one turn I noticed the words written across it and who knew that I would not be able to resist taking a closer look at words? Who knew?

Instantly, all frustration with my inability to accumulate more knickknacks seemed to vanish. I had found something better. With each step, no longer were the seducing smells and sounds of any threat to me. Instead, they were muffled by the beautiful words now echoing in my mind.

"In solitude I sit quietly and listen to the whispers of His wisdom."

What is so important that we cannot sit still long enough to listen to the whispers of wisdom? Why is solitude so unaccepted and misunderstood that we often end up following the crowds?

The answers were definitely not anything I could find on my tidy little shopping list or in any of the carts or shelves around me, so out the automatic doors I went again, leaving behind all interest in such trifle trappings. The cool air was still there ready to usher me to my ride, and contently I followed its lead.

Who wouldn't be content? In my possession was none other than the find, and an even better treasure than I had expected.

This find didn't cost me a penny.
This find didn't weigh me down.
This find didn't require more work, nor threaten to follow with emptiness once its newness wore off.

Grinning from ear-to-ear (a common sign of a good catch among us savvy hunters), I proudly held on to my treasure and drove home elated on this most perfect shopping day. I had no bags to unload, nothing to place on a shelf or fluff on a seat, just special words to tuck in my heart; to repeat, to share, delight in, and live out.

I have a long way to go, but I am reminded…

"...for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."~Philippians 4:11-13

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