Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Shopping

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 The heaviest of the shopping season is over. It’s just not the same as it used to be, shopping. I can’t speak for this year, but last year and the year before, online shopping increased so much during the holiday season that UPS, USPS and Amazon rented every 26 foot lift gate truck they could find from UHaul, Budget and Penske starting in October and ending the February. Independent contractors had nothing to drive in that period and woe to the normal Joe who had to move his family, especially military families. 

I’m partially to blame. I don’t do much shopping apart from grocery shopping, but when I get a gift card, I go online. I couldn’t tell you which stores carry things I might buy, but I can find them online! Grocery shopping has changed too—just shop online! Have someone else get your stuff and go to the store and pick it up— shoot, just have it delivered! It’s nice in a pinch, but this has become a way of life for some people. I’m some parts of the world, you can only buy meat on Tuesday—and it’s still standing. 


Nearly every night someone asks me which nearby restaurants deliver. Except for pizza, none of them. But with Doordash and Uber Eats, everyone delivers! A coffee or soda for delivery from the restaurant next door? For crying out loud!


Work from home and shop online. What next?




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