Grocery Shopping

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4 NIV

A man in the supermarket was pushing a cart that contained, among other things, a screaming baby. As the man proceeded along the aisles, he kept repeating softly, “Keep calm, George. Don’t get excited, George. Don’t get upset, George. Don’t yell, George.”

A lady watching with admiration said to the man, “You are certainly to be commended for your patience in trying to quiet little George.”

“Lady,” he declared, “I’m George.”

Every parent can relate to George. Doesn’t it sometimes seem like Ephesians 6:4 should read, “Children, don’t annoy your fathers while in the supermarket”? But it doesn’t. Perhaps the reason is that parents are to be the example of God’s love, and children learn the best from observation. Even shopping at the grocery store is an opportunity to show your children the proper way to behave.

There is no greater role model for children than a parent. Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” Be an example of patience and love to your children. From potty-training to driver’s education—parents are set in place by God to be a tool that transforms the precepts of the Bible into a living testimony to their children.