Groceries, Seasons and Me. . .or I'm always learning at Aldi

I was frantically running errands on Monday, and landed myself at Aldi.

We were running low on food and it was just no longer an option to put it off.

Although, in my heart I totally wanted to. . .but my families insistence on eating prevented that for

even one more day.

So there I was, list in hand, ready to rock Aldi. After all, I'm no newbie!  I know I need a quarter,

I recognize  all the labels, I know where the sacks are and that I'll be paying for them-and filling them

up.  Yep, I've got this down pat.

The very story I ever wrote as adult was about an adventure in this very store, in the very location I

was at on Monday.  You can read that here.

I've shared that story quite a bit  as I've had more speaking opportunities, and it came to mind

Monday as I was tossing things in my cart and crossing them off my list.  The store was filled with

moms and preschoolers or should I say; frantic, tired, stressed moms and noisy, busy preschoolers.

I tried to hide my smile as I heard them and their dear momma's trying to herd them to the next aisle.

Oh, OH! How I've been there.  I remember those days well.  Cajoling, bribing, threatening. . . even

yes, even giving in and caving to whatever was being begged for. . .yep

I've done it all.


Listen, I'm no parenting expert and would never claim to be.  Heck, we're right in the deep water over

here. How can you be an expert when you haven't seen the finished product yet?

But, I am a momma who's seen a few things and been doing this mom life for more than a few years.

So, hear this my Dear Sweet Momma's out there, the days do get easier.

There will absolutely be a time in your life you can go to the store and no one begs you to buy them

anything.  You'll go ALONE (can you even imagine) and you won't worry about germ filled carts,

or keeping littles entertained while you pile two weeks worth of groceries in your cart.

You won't be squeezing an avocado in one hand while holding a squirmy toddler with the other.

No will run down the aisle, colliding with a grandma, while you stand there mortified with the toilet

paper in your hand.

These crazy stress filled moments will pass.

Now, don't get me wrong. They will be filled with other crazy stress filled moments.

Moments involving homework, friends, what's appropriate to wear and what's not, eye rolling and

Don't you talk to me like that Mister! moments.

So, what did I learn in aisle 12 this week??

Don't wish away the baby/toddler/preschool years.  Cherish them. Even the hard ones.

Those precious babies grow up so stinkin' fast it'll make your head spin.

Soon you'll be sitting at the dinner table talking about how to pay for college and dating and  "Can I

have the car Friday night."

Here's the other thing I learned. I can't wish away these teenage/middle school/I'm almost double

digits mom years either.  I can't keep wishing to turn the clock back (or if I'm really honest, speed it

forward. . .teenagers are no joke you guys !)

Spring is springing here in Kansas.  A season, a promise.  Some days are so beautiful you wish you

could bask in them forever. Some days are dark and gloomy. Some are downright volatile.

But, each and every one of them pass. Nothing stays the same.  Summer will soon be here.

Your season, and mine. It'll change.  Let's learn to enjoy the one we're in right now, instead of

wishing it away.

Oh Aldi, how you mess with my head when I'm just trying to buy some groceries.

Thank you, Lord for always being willing to teach me where I'm at. . .even the aisle of the grocery

store.

Thank You, for never changing in a world and circumstances that always

do.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJ) To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

Help us Lord to embrace the season we're in.

You are loved,