God's Free Target Bags

If the Target chain of stores had existed in the times of the Israelites' trek to the Promised Land, perhaps they could have claimed what i did after my trek up and down the aisles (and a trek it does seem, sometimes.).

I had returned from my weekly trip to SuperTarget, only to find i had forgotten to scribble "trash bags" on my list.

That, or i was feeding a stubborn streak of seeing how many Target bags i could salvage to use for "free" trash bags. (however, pull up the calculator on your phone, divide the total bill by the number of bags, and they're really not all that free).

But that night i was able to put ALL 10 BAGS into my barren trash bag container (an empty milk jug with the top cut off)! And the verse popped into my head about how God kept the Israelites' shoes and clothes from wearing out as they tromped around the wilderness for 40 years.

"... You sustained them ... they lacked nothing; their clothes did not wear out... their Target shopping bags did not tear...."

Sounds silly, perhaps.

But God knew what i needed.

And if He cares enough to make sure the birds have food every day and that the flowers are lookin' good, then i'm pretty sure He cares about my trash bag situation. And kitchen trash bags, at that. Small.

Now i have TWO trash bag containers, bursting at the seams, plus more Target bags tucked away to refill my current stock.

Wow, when there's a need, God really supplies over and above. Even "free" Target bags.

Speaking Hawaiian

A great work of fiction centered around Hawaii recently flew before my eyes at every available naptime of my children, leaving several impressions with me.

One: My husband and I should really vacation in Hawaii sometime. Soon. Without the kids.

Two: Love and forgiveness are absolutely essential in a marriage. Even more so than squeezing the toothpaste from the correct end and leaving the toilet seat down.

Three: I need to speak more Hawaiian. Fortunately for me, since i don't speak ANY, even speaking ONE word will accomplish that goal.

Aloha.

That's my new word.

In the old, original language, Aloha meant "God in us." That, along with its other meanings, including those intimating love, sweeps along to the particular meaning that caught my attention.

"I recognize the divine in you." I see God in you.

And, since Aloha is as flexible as the palm trees bending in the tropical breezes, it can be used in greeting or farewell... or just about anytime.

In the morning, when my kids wake up, I'll greet them with an Aloha (I'd greet my husband that way in the morning, but lately he's been up at a time that i don't recognize as part of the day.)

When my children are fussing or throwing a fit ... "Aloha! And let me show you to your room. It's a bit far from the beach, but i'm sure you'll find it accommodating."

On the rare mornings when i AM up to wave Husband off to work... Aloha. When he comes home... Aloha! (sorry, no exclamation point in the AM)


God is so awesome -- today's Bible reading for our City Church Women's blog is Psalm 31 & 32. And sure enough, it tied into my Hawaiian thoughts.

"God's my island hideaway, keeps danger from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck" (32:7).

So while i might not be on the sandy shores of the islands, i CAN rest in God. He'll provide the leis, and I'll say Aloha! to people and situations -- including myself in the mirror -- knowing that God IS in us.


Aloha!