The shopping cart — what an invention! We’ve seen pictures recently of shopping carts loaded with items as people prepare to stay at home. Have you ever wondered who invented the shopping cart? You probably haven’t, but I thought it might be a brief distraction from the gloomy news reports. It is an interesting story.
Seek Help
Self service grocery stores were created in the 1920’s. One man named Sylvan Goldman owned a grocery chain called Humpty Dumpty. The shops used “hand carry” baskets. Mr. Goldman noticed that once the baskets were full or heavy, the people would stop shopping. He sought help from a carpenter and maintenance man to create the first shopping cart. It was a basket on bottom and basket on top arranged so a customer could easily fill both baskets.
Be Creative
There was a problem. The customers refused to use the newly invented carts. Women were tired of pushing baby carriages and men thought they were ‘too manly’ to push a cart. Mr. Goldman came up with a brilliant idea to solve this problem. He hired good looking men and women to “shop” the store pushing the carts. As customers entered the store, he had an employee offer them a cart. If they refused, he pointed out the model shoppers pushing the carts around the store and commented that everyone else was using them. Because of his ingenuity, shopping carts are available for us to load up with as much as we can.
Seek God’s Thoughts
Isaiah 55:8, NCSB, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.”
At this point, you may be wondering how this relates to the Bible. We are entering an unknown with the Corona virus. Children are out of school, parents are working or perhaps laid off for the time being, some businesses will be suffering and loved ones may become ill. During this period of time, we as believers need to be creative. Seek God’s thoughts and ways in dealing with the problem at hand. We must walk by Biblical truth, not world standards. How can we glorify God through these circumstances? What can we do to help others that are in need? Seek the Lord and be sensitive to other’s needs. Be willing and available to help others.
Allow Others to Bless You
Colossians 3:2, NCSB, “Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.”
On the other hand, as you read this, you may be the one in need. Let others know of your need. Please don’t suffer or do without. Your neighbor, friends or local church members want to serve you. Don’t let your pride ruin the opportunity for you and others to be blessed.
“Break My Plans” by This Hope
This Hope sings about Nikolai Moldoveanu’s imprisonment for writing songs about Jesus Christ in 1940’s Romania.
Paula Wallace
Additional Reading:
Great encouragement for this stressful period! May God protect us all and use us to spread His love for His glory! Bless you and your family.