GROCERIES AND GRACE

Saturday, November 08, 2008

We all need a few groceries and a little grace. Both seem hard to come by sometimes. I read the following story in Max Lucado’s splendid book, When God Whispers Your Name, and adapted it for this post.

Seems a fellow is doing some shopping at a commissary on a military base. Doesn’t need much, just some coffee and a loaf of bread. Behind him in line at the checkout is a woman with a full cart. Her basket overflows with groceries, clothing, and a VCR.

As he steps up to the register the clerk says, “Draw a piece of paper from the fishbowl. If you pull out the correct slip, then all your groceries are free.” “How many correct slips’ are there?” asks the buyer. “Only one.”

The bowl is full so the chances are slim. He is surprised when he gets the winning ticket! This fellow turns quickly to the lady behind him and proclaims, “Well, what do you know, Honey? We won! We don’t have to pay a penny.” She stares at him. He winks at her. She steps up beside him. Puts her arm in his and smiles. And for a moment they stand side-by-side, wedded by good fortune. In the parking lot she consummates the temporary union with a kiss and a hug and goes on her way with a grand story to tell.

I know, I know. What they did was a bit shady. He shouldn’t have lied and she shouldn’t have pretended. But that taken into account, it’s still a nice story. A story not too distant from our own. We, too, have been graced with a surprise. Even more than that of the lady. For though her debt was high, she could pay it, we can’t begin to pay ours. We, like the woman, have been given a gift. Not just at the checkout stand, but at the judgment seat.

And we, too, have become a bride. Not just for a moment, but for eternity. And not just for groceries, but for the feast.