FARM LIFE FROM A FARM WIFE: New mission involves grocery store ministry

Late spring, I was asked by my sister-in-law to join a women’s Bible study, meeting every Monday night for six weeks from 6-8 p.m. My first inclination was to say no. Nights for me are a struggle. Keeping busy during the day, after supper and a hot shower, I’m liquid putty; lights out, no brain power left and energy ebbing like a tide out to sea. Excuses came quickly.

Pondering it in my mind, I almost audibly heard my Father whisper, “Learn more. Draw close to me, and I will draw close to you.”

Quickly I thought, whom do I want to please? My Heavenly Father or the adversary? So responding to my sister-in-law without a trace of condemnation meddling in my head and full of conviction, I texted: “Yes. I’d love to come. Thank you for the invitation!”

Every Monday, I met with new friends who reflected the fervor of my own heart — to fall more in love with Jesus. We learned from each other. As we dove into the readings each week, we were reminded over and over how much God loves us and what our mission in this world actually is — to be Jesus’ disciples, love on people and spread the gospel of hope right where we’re at.

We were taught it’s the little things of life that can mean the most. Digging into the Word of God brings peace and knowledge of how he wants to accomplish his will in our individual lives.

One day we were asked to list a number of ways we could spread the good news to those around us, prompting us to either just listen or to actually, through the Holy Spirit, give someone a word of hope or encouragement. As I thought about what way I could do that, it dawned on me I could have sort of a grocery store ministry.

Let me tell you about me and groceries. It’s a job that I have come to detest. Everything is so expensive, and I hesitate all the time before dropping something into my cart. Barely looking at people, I scan the aisles and select off-brands as much as possible.

As I got ready for the dreaded errand that week I prayed, “Lord, help me to really see people. Let this be a God-encounter. Remind me to smile at others and be open to conversation if the opportunity arrives.”

Well. He answers prayer, let me tell you.

The very first week, in the chip aisle, I smiled at a downcast woman and kept going. “Someone” piqued a bell inside my consciousness and turning back I said, “Do I know you? You look familiar.”

She brightened up, told me where she had worked, why she had left, what she was doing now, and 15 minutes later we separated. After a hug. I did not even know her name. All the way home I glowed. I had briefly talked about God, barely mentioned my faith. I had just simply listened, but I felt that I left her better (and me, too!) after that encounter.

The next week, I did it again. This time I ran across a man whose beloved wife was very ill. He started talking about her treatments; we cried together, and I told him I’d pray for them both.

Again, the next week I saw a woman I knew and could have easily snuck past without a second thought, but the Holy Spirit convicted me. Without even thinking, I greeted her with a smile and by name, asked her how she was doing. Her mama heart broke, unleashing a torrent of concern about her small children.

She went on and on.

Inside myself I said, “Father. Goodness. How long?”

Again, without condemnation, I felt him lovingly answer, “What’s more important than my child right in front of you?”

I let her talk and afterward asked, “Can I pray for you?” Right there next to the flour and sugar, we prayed for divine strength and wisdom, leaving with a hug and smiles.

One day, as I was preparing to zip to town I prayed, “Lord. Not today. I’m tired, hot and sweaty ,and I just really don’t feel like it.”

I was telling him what I was going to do? How funny.

I barely got out of the produce aisle when I heard “Kay Reminger?” and an older lady scampered (really, she was fast) over to me. She poured out her heart, teary-eyed with the heaviness of her spirit and requested me to keep her in her prayers.

Asking her, “Shall we pray right now?” she agreed, grabbed my forearm in a vise-like grip and inclining her head almost touching mine, I brought her concerns before the throne of mercy right there next to the deli’s broasted chicken.

This could all be chalked up as me just trying hard, but after I had made a decision and as those weeks of Bible study went on, I heard sermon after sermon specifically mention “grocery store ministry.” It was a confirmation. All I did was listen and obey.

(“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7)

Kay Reminger was born and raised on a dairy farm, and she married her high school sweetheart, who happened to farm for a living in Leopolis. Writing for quite a few years, she remains focused on the blessings of living the ups and downs of rural life from a farm wife’s perspective.