A Tale of Two Aldi’s

It’s cold, a bit dreary out, and that is the perfect time to tell a good story! This happens to be based on my actual life events in the SAME Aldi’s store, but on two different days. Both experiences were vastly diverse in nature and expectations. Grab a cup of your favorite cozy, hot beverage and let me explain…

In late winter/early spring I visited my local Aldi’s for a few items with my daughter. As we were being checked out by a friendly cashier, a girl behind me piped in, “Hello!” WOW, I recognized her and it was someone I hadn’t seen since high school! She was actually a few years younger than me, and what I most markedly remember about her was the fire she had in her heart and eyes for JESUS back then. As a teenager even though I was older, she reached out and invited me and many others in high school to join a Christian club after school to pray, learn more about Jesus together, and to hold special events/speakers to reach the lost at our school! So, at Aldi’s that day we had some small talk about who we married, our kids, and then I commented, “Keep living for Jesus!” I watched as her face turned serious and then went blank. What just happened?! The shock was huge because of how much memorable passion for the Lord USED TO BE present in her life. Once I questioned what changed, she didn’t want to discuss it much further, but a brief mention of her parent’s divorce and a few other challenges made me ponder how each trial can pull you closer or farther away from Our Heavenly Father.

On another day a few months later occurred a contrasting Aldi’s tale. This time in the same Aldi’s store I ran into a high school classmate who was in my own graduating class. I recalled her name and initiated a hello. Interestingly, my memories of her were not as vivid, but I vaguely recollected a quite sad and glum girl. To my pleasant amazement, she was now full of peace and joy. We too spoke for a few minutes, and the conversation quickly turned to faith in Jesus. She shared how hard it was for her in high school, and mentioned an abusive home environment without giving details, but how someone had gotten her to listen to Christian radio and since following the Lord her life has not been the same! Well, I could tell!

In both tales, the difference was JESUS, loud and clear. So, which one are you? Do you LACK Him in your life or are you FILLED with His presence daily? Maybe you don’t define or identify yourself as a “Jesus follower” yet, but you know God is tugging at your heart to surrender to Him and be made new. I implore you to “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

Maybe you are a follower of Christ but need to be reminded we are not here to be comfortable or only chase after the pursuit of filling our days with fun memories (a popular worldly endeavor). ALL that we do should be to give praise to God and ultimately HE will use it to lead others to Himself.

In this season right before a lot of holidays and special times with family and friends, ask God in this moment to re-sensitize your heart to the spiritual needs of those around you. When you ask, God answers, so BE READY to join HIM in shining brightly in your neighborhood, school, workplace, and at home.

Jesus, I dedicate this day, this month, and the holiday season to YOU. Place people in my life that need to hear about You or be encouraged once again to know You, oh God. May the Lord bless EACH of you, dear ones. Enjoy this radical song about loving those who HE loves!