April 4, 2025
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NRSV
Turbo Tidy on the shelf at Lidl’s
Rod and I spent four days visiting our two younger granddaughters and their Papa (our son-in-law Jean-Philippe) and their daddy (our son Seth). We were there to provide some support for childcare since it was the girls’ spring break and neither parent could get much time off from work. Anne-Sophie, 11 as of April 2, did some research on Google about things to do with a grandma with a sore knee. She reported that going shopping or to the mall would be a good activity. So off we went to Michael’s for art and activity supplies and then on to Lidl. Lidl is a Germon grocery chain with stores popping up all over.
The first displays were of fresh bread and other baked goods, including chocolate croissants that were amazing. In the center of the store was an entire aisle of “special sales” of household goods from Easter decorations and pillows to gardening tools and clothing, all at a greatly discounted price. The Turbo Tidy was positioned in the center of the display, intended to attract the attention of viewers of all ages. At $49.00 it was a bargain compared to the listed price of $149.00. It caught my attention! The Zamboni-like Turbo Tidy, with a rechargeable battery powering it for 120 minutes per charge, can be driven at various speeds and holds enough soapy water to mop the floor with its detachable cleaning arm. The downside – you had to be 3+ years of age and weigh less than 60#. I had images of Marie-Helene and Anne-Sophie streaking across the kitchen floor and circling the island to see who could get the floor washed fastest. In a moment of temporary insanity I wondered if I could squeeze myself onto the seat and clean away. What could possibly go wrong?
At one third of the original cost, one could almost not afford to buy one, just for the fun of it. And then it struck me. This was one of the craziest, potentially dangerous toys I’ve ever been almost seduced into buying, for no good reason at all. I’m serious…it was tempting. Until I imagined little feet getting caught under the Turbo Tidy, and little girls getting into accidents, and what better good I could put $49 to that I was able to walk away.
Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” It is God’s great gift to create within us clean hearts and put a new and pure spirits within us.
I am grateful that I arrived back at Seth’s with only two chocolate croissants and a candy bar. I wonder some of the Turbo Tidy’s I’ve been seduced into buying. To name a few, books I purchased but didn’t read, candy I would not have eaten had it not been purchased, hours lost to cable news.
Every day, Lord, Turbo Tidy my heart and soul. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 