No, we didn’t buy the recliner in the picteure from Sears. Yes, it’s a very good chair in which to take a nap, but that isn’t the “comfortable” I’m going to discuss. It’s one that started because of shopping trips.
My mom and Mamaw Girdle/Mrytle used to love shopping at Sears. This was when it was still located on Central Avenue. Even though I preferred to stay home and chase bugs, they usually drug me along with them on their shopping trips. Let me tell you, those two could outshop anybody. They spent hours not only looking over various merchandise, but touching them as well. Why? For one, it was a part of the experience. For another, they didn’t want to overlook anything. Personally, I was the happiest when they were finally done. That’s when they would take me to the toy section to buy me something for not whining and bugging them about being bored. Our very last place to shop was at the candy counter where we each got a treat.
Believe it or not, the comfort I discovered didn’t come from the new toy or the candy counter treat. While Mom and Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle shopped, I looked around and took in the whole store. Yes, I watched people shop and interact, but I also noticed that everything was in its own department. In other words, in its own unique place. For instance, toys had their own place as did jewelry and furniture. If my mom wanted to buy a new pair of shoes, she didn’t go to ladies’ unmentionables section. By the way, my daddy and Papaw E.O. wouldn’t step foot in there.
Then I realized it was the same at my elementary school. Each subject had its own text book and lessons. Same for teachers. There was one for homeroom, gym, and music. Also, I used to play sports. Each one had its own set rules and balls as well. Therefore, everything had its distinctive place. To me, this made sense. It made me more comfortable with the world and how it worked. Until it didn’t.
When I was in high school, I took every math and science class I could. One reason I did this was because I was (still am) a geek. The other was that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after graduation. So, I signed up classes that I thought would be a good basis for whatever field I chose. My senior year, I had one math class and two science classes. A few weeks into school, I began to notice something quite bewildering to me. I was learning science in my math class while using math in both of my science classes. That blew my mind. How was that happening since they were separate subjects?
The more I thought about it; the more it bothered me. Why? Because my idea of a comfortable world where everything was in its place was shattered. I know that sounds dramatic, but it really did shift how I saw the world. Finally, I took my dilemma to my math teacher. To this day, I can see her sitting at her desk as I rambled on about my confusion. I finished with: “How is any of this even possible?” She smiled at me and gave a one-word answer: “God.”
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3 (KJV)
God is the absolute creator of everything. I’m talking from subatomic particles to the monster black holes sitting in the center of most galaxies. As a Believer and being raised in church, I already knew this, so why couldn’t I see it as my teacher had?
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Psalm 145:3 (KJV)
I had placed The Lord in a comfortable and understandable position that my very limited human mind could understand. By doing so, I had cheated myself out of some blessings of appreciating just how truly awesome He is. So, open your mind and heart to see His greatness. Being comfortable is for your recliner.
Even now when I go to a store, I get flustered with finding stuff not being in the department where I think it should be located. Also, I get frustrated when I got to department where I think something should be and it’s actually located on the other side if the store. Oh well. As long as I can find the candy and peanuts, I’m good.

Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.