The Shepherd shops at Walmart

God is so clever, so loving, and living among us, just in a different way than we might think!

Earlier this year I decided to remain in bed a bit longer than usual, watching the weather forecast, sipping coffee, and saying extra prayers for Maundy Thursday.

I was quite proud of myself, too, ordering a grocery delivery from Walmart, and all just by using my cell phone from bed (and not from my laptop as I typically do).

Wow, at age 72, does this make me officially “tech-savvy” like the younger generation now? Many “youngers” no longer use a laptop and do everything only on cell phones anymore.

I must share my concerns here about the price of groceries these days, though. They’re insanely expensive! Seems every time I shop, prices are always a bit higher than the week before and they surely never get cheaper overall even with coupons.

I used to work myself into a frenzy over groceries, perhaps due to the adjustment of retirement with a fixed income. God and I had many chats together over this worry and anxiety, until I realized I had much more than many other people around the world and my community. God teaches us humility and thankfulness when we need it.

Finally, I got out of bed and into the living room, greeted by my Bible that looked like this:

The rubber band heart focused on Proverbs 11:9: “Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.”

I sent this photo to a select few friends as they were the ones that previously received a recent article I wrote about the importance of “names” and the humility necessary to avoid self-pride. I used myself as a real-life example in that article and assigned myself a goal to be more grateful the rest of this week leading into Easter.

I asked God for forgiveness and for release of my pride, too.

As I re-read the Proverb, I joked with one of my friends that maybe God was shopping for my groceries this morning at Walmart.

Perhaps now I am more ordinary than last week, less self-important, less proud, more thankful. And less worried and panicky about the cost of food. God has been exceedingly kind and loving to me. It took a while for me to truly realize in my heart that God has always shared his bounty and grace!

Turning to fix a bit of breakfast, I opened the fridge and realized I had more than enough milk. What was I thinking? Why did I just order more from Walmart? A few minutes later, I received a push notification to “accept” or “decline” a substitution my order. I clicked the link and, of all things, the half-gallon of milk I ordered was being substituted by the shopper. Of all things! Seriously? Of course, I declined the milk. It’s not just Alexa who hears us. God does, too!

So … it gets better! I received the next notice that “Samuel” would be delivering the groceries at 11:11 a.m. 11:11! This number has always been a deeply spiritual number for me signifying connection with the Divine and new spiritual growth.

This verified it! God definitely had his hand in all this, too. Too many variables to be a coincidence. Walmart has a two-hour delivery window. Why exactly at 11:11? And Samuel was right on time!

(Samuel, by the way, was a leader in Israel and a prophet after God’s call and a judge who anointed Kings. Now that’s some delivery driver!)

I shared this latest information with my friend thinking surely, she would think I’m totally mad. Then she sent this photo:

This Sister-in-Christ shared the same meaning with her 11:11 bracelet!

We don’t have a “servant” as we might think of from historical times.

But we do have a shepherd that shops at Walmart.

And He especially shops within the corners of our hearts!

He is here and reaches to meet us right where we are.

Call me ordinary, call me weak, call me a lover of Christ! 11:11!

Rev. Bonnie Zickgraf is a retired pastor, registered nurse, electroplater, and podcaster. She continues to serve various preschool, youth, and adult ministries, including the Nurses’ Honor Guard for the State of Indiana. She loves to laugh, write, eat, and pray! Send comments to bonniezickgraf@gmail.com.