Paid In Full

Soon after getting back from our vacation at the beach, Mom and I went grocery shopping to pick up some essentials. It wasn't long before our cart was piled high with yogurt, bread, milk, and a variety of snack food and fresh fruit and we were heading to checkout. As we unloaded our items onto the belt, we heard a voice say in front of us, "I'm going to pay for their groceries."

I looked up from the container of strawberries I had just placed on the belt, and a wave of shock doused both Mom and me like a bucket of icy water when we realized the person was talking to the cashier about us. I turned to Mom and mouthed, Is she serious?

Mom gaped at the young woman. "Oh no, really, we're fine. I don't think you realize just how much we have."
"We're buying for a family of eleven," I supplied, knowing from experience just how much money our family shopping trips could amount to. 

"And we're able to pay," Mom continued. "Why don't you pay for the man behind us? He only has a few items and--"

"Nope." The woman grinned and leaned on her cart, undaunted. "You were behind me in line. I'm paying for your groceries."

"But--" Mom swallowed and tried again, but the woman wouldn't take no for an answer. No matter how much Mom protested, she didn't budge. 

Dazed, I put the eggs on the belt and nearly tipped them over. Mom was so distracted, she didn't even notice. (Which I suppose is a good thing.)  The cashier bagged the last item and rung up the total, and just as we figured, it was in the hundreds. The woman didn't hesitate, however. She stuck her credit card in the machine and paid for all of it. 

When we asked her why she was doing it, she replied simply, "Because I felt led to."

Mom and I walked back outside to the car absolutely stupefied. Mom was crying, she was so touched. It was like a whisper from God telling us there are still kind people out there, even when the world around us looks dark and broken beyond repair. 

It also reminded me of God's grace, and how my debt has been paid in full - even though I didn't deserve it. He shed His blood for me to become the "once and for all" sacrifice, and I don't have to work for that forgiveness anymore. He's already inserted that perfect "credit card" that covers the price of all my sins and has told me over and over, "It's a gift, Ellen. Accept it."

My friends, we don't have to toil for our salvation . . . God has it ready to hand out to anyone and everyone who asks it of Him. And once He's already put in His "credit card," we would be fools to yank it out and insert our own, wouldn't we? Recognize God's grace for what it is: a gift. Free. Just as alive and active now as it ever has been and ever will be. 

Join me in living fully in His grace today. <3

Blessings,

Ellen S.