My daughter Monique approached me while I was shopping, and I took the opportunity to ask her advice about a bulky, oversized sweater.

“I’m speaking at church at the end of February. I think I’ll buy this to wear that day.”

“Oh, no!” she said. “Do you realize how big that will make you look?”

“Well I guess you’re about to tell me.”

“And do you realize how much you’ll sweat on stage wearing that?”

“Good-bye,” I said as I walked away.

A few days later, during lunch with Elise I presented my need to shop.

“Don’t go alone!” she said.

“Monique was with me when I went…”

“Don’t take her!” Elise interrupted.

After lunch, I called my daughter in Thibodaux.

“Victoria, I’m speaking at church and I don’t know what to wear.”

“Now, Mom, is this your way of asking me to come home when you speak?”

“No and good-bye.”

My three daughters designated their sister Lauren as the one most likely to find something for me to buy. After I spent an unsuccessful morning in the mall and Lauren worked all day, we decided to go shopping that night and found something at the second store we entered.

The next morning, I opened my Bible and read Matthew 6:28-33 which begins “And why do you worry about clothing?” and ends with “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

I hope that I’ve learned my lesson. Next time I’ll focus only on the message I’m preparing and send Lauren shopping.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.