For the past several months I’ve been hitting Meijer every Tuesday morning at 6am, for the privilege of going alone. It’s actually really nice, never busy. The only problem is that lately when the twins are up from their afternoon nap, it can be difficult to be productive. Monday I had an idea. Beppie could ride in the cart, ‘Things 1 and 2″ could be strapped into the stroller, and I would “let” Emily and Maggie take turns pushing them. If it worked we would have a productive outing that was beneficial to everyone.
Unfortunately, many late afternoon patrons of Meijer did not agree. I’m more than used to (and even appreciate) the onlookers and counters with grins on their faces. I can bear the scowls and the shaking heads. But when one woman was so completely absorbed in her own disgust that she refused to move her cart to the side for my dear 6-year-old to get through, we had to leave before I verbally assaulted her and defamed the name of Christ.
Instead of biting the woman’s head off, I cried angry tears on the way home and repented of my heart that is still quick to be offended by the world’s opinion of me. Today the Lord blessed me with comfort from one of my best dead friends, John Calvin:
And if men say, “What is this? A woman playeth the housewife, she spinneth on her distaff, and this is all that women can do.” As in deed there are a number of fools that when they speak of women’s distaffs, of seeing to their children, will make a scorn of it, and despise it. But what then? What saith the heavenly Judge? That he is well pleased with it, and accepteth of it, and putteth it in his reckoning. So then let women learn to rejoice when they do their duty, and though the world despise it, let this comfort sweeten all respect they might have that way, and say, “God seeth me here, and his Angels, who are sufficient witnesses of my doings, although the world do not allow of them.
As recorded in A Sermon of Master John Caluine, vpon the first Epistle of Paul, to Timothie, published for the benefite and edifying of the Churche of God (London: G. Bishop and T. Woodcoke, 1579), excerpted from Calvin’s sermon on 1 Timothy 2:13-15.
Talking Wall 
I need to apologize to the first 17 people who read this post. I removed the line about Emily saying “excuse me” becuase I can’t actually remember if it happened that way. I want to be careful not to exagerate out of anger and to be trustworthy for every word from my mouth or fingers. Please forgive!
I sure wish Calvin had spoken something other than the kings English! haha Although now that I think of it, wouldn’t it be fun to engage that woman in conversation that way!
You’re a wonderful witness and who knows what observer ministered to that day:)