The Find

By Marcia Rotella –

On this very typical Saturday bursting with creative energies, my perk seemed to have out-perked me a little sooner than expected. Price tag after price tag unloaded disappointment unto my sad little empty shopping cart and I started to sink in mid hunt.

Are you familiar with the hunt? You know, shopping for that thing we must find at the expense of our sanity. Walk through sparkly doors, immerse in alluring sights and fragrances, and before long we’re mesmerized by greed. All this is typically followed by tag shock, nose-diving disappointment, through the same doors, which oddly never seem quite as sparkly on our way out, and back in our cars where we talk ourselves into doing it all over again because next door, ah yes, next door will be different. Whew!

Of course, perked or not, on I went through another set of doors relentlessly hunting after the find, but thank goodness, behind these doors awaited a most pleasant interruption to my madness.

I must have looked pretty dazed when something in the household section called out to me. The item, a jewelry torso, was not of any particular interest, but I could have sworn I heard it speak. “Psst, over here,” it whispered.  I mean it! With one turn I noticed the words written across it, and who knew that I would not resist taking a closer look at words? Who knew?

“In solitude I sit quietly and listen to the whispers of His wisdom.”

Instantly, all frustration with my inability to accumulate more knickknacks seemed almost non-existent. I had found something better. With each further step no longer were the seducing smells and sounds a threat. Instead they were muffled by the beautiful words now echoing in my mind.

“In solitude I sit quietly and listen to the whispers of His wisdom.”

What is so important that we cannot sit still long enough to listen to His whispers? Why is solitude so unaccepted and misunderstood? Why is everyone running after noise and crowds? What could possibly be more valuable God’s wisdom?

It was definitely not anything I could find on my tidy list or in any of the carts or shelves around me, so out the automatic doors I went again, leaving behind all interest in such trifle trappings. The warm air was still there ready to usher me to my ride and contently I followed.

And who wouldn’t be content?  In my possession was the find–greater than I had expected.

This find didn’t cost me a penny.

This find didn’t weigh me down.

This find didn’t require more work, nor threaten to follow with emptiness once its newness wears off.

Grinning from ear-to-ear, a common sign of a good catch among us savvy hunters, I proudly held on to my treasure and drove home elated on this most perfect shopping day. I had no bags to unload, nothing to place on a shelf or fluff on a seat, just special words to add to my journal; to repeat, to share, delight in and live out.

I have a long way to go, but I am reminded…

“…for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”~Philippians 4:11-13.

Writing about myself in third person feels just a tad like having an out-of-body experience, so instead, I thought I’d introduce myself as if we’re talking over a delicious cup of coffee. I have been married to my best friend and wonderful husband for 26 years. I know it sounds so cliché but it’s true. No, really. We are very blessed by two beautiful gifts who are currently young adults but will forever be our children and quite often my babies. I don’t consider myself a writer, but I love to put words on paper just as I’d speak to my closest friend. You could say simplicity is my writing style and the goal of my writing is clear–to share the love of God, my greatest passion. Please, do call me Marcia. http://redscarfdiaries.blogspot.com/