Are you going to the store anytime soon?

Are you going to the store anytime soon? For years, my sisters and I had specific duties to help with my dad. One sister had the shopping duty. Even though I served him most meals because he lived with us, she did errand runs such as pick up prescriptions, “Scope”, and sometimes even candy (although remember, he was diabetic!).... We never formally divided the tasks but it sort of fell into place. We can laugh NOW about the story that seemed to happen over and over again.... Picture this: my sister, who never cooks (literally-meaning most of the time she was making a special trip to the store just for him)... comes in with a bag full of items he has asked for just days before: perhaps kleenex with very special requirements (count, size, softness) , toothpaste (again, not just ANY brand), and a prescription or two...... When she would walk in his house with a bag of items that she had purchased for him, he would say, “Are you going to the store anytime soon?” FEELING #1: Exasperation! The exasperation she/we would feel when things like this happen did NOT seem funny at the time.... She may have just spent the morning searching for the items he had asked for and no more had she brought those items in, than he had thought of other things he needed but had not called to add to the list. FEELING #2: Guilt (over the impatience and exasperation that you JUST had)... You know you are here to serve well but “lost it”, even if only inwardly, when he asked for more errand running.... FEELING #3 Compassion--You LOVE them and are willing to do anything for them but planning ahead really would help you since this is not your only commitment. But remember, patience and perseverance are only a prayer away. Put your hope in HIM who does not change, yesterday, today or ever! Donʼt go this alone; ask Jesus to lead you....