A Change of Heart

-


I went grocery shopping at Aldi on Friday. I made sure to grab a quarter from my change jar before I left. If you aren't familiar with the store, you have to pay to use a shopping cart. The carts are attached by a chain and when you insert a quarter, the lock releases. When you return the cart and lock the chain, you receive your deposit back. 

I approached the long row of chained baskets and prepared to insert my coin but found that someone had left one unlocked. After paying for the groceries and loading the car, I went to return the cart to its rightful place. Since it wasn't my quarter to begin with, I didn't feel right taking one in return. So I parked it just as I had found it, unlocked and ready to be a blessing for someone else that needed it. (If you're considering giving me a pat on the back at this point, don't. There's more to the story.) As soon as I stepped back and headed toward my car, the lady waiting behind me locked both my cart and hers then walked away with both quarters. I didn't say anything to her but I might have shot her a dirty look, lol. It went all over me. Here I was trying to be nice and not take what didn't belong to me only for someone else to walk off with something that wasn't theirs either. 

It wasn’t too long after that when I felt the Lord speak to my heart. In my mind, the cart was left unlocked for someone that may need it, but it didn’t occur to me until then that maybe the lady needed the quarter. I was reminded in that moment of the many times the Lord has shown me grace. How He has blessed me over and over with things that I didn’t deserve. Most importantly, He has given me the free eternal gift of salvation. 

My prayer this week is that I will stay mindful of God’s grace on my life and I will be willing to show grace to others as well. 

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9

GRACE OF GOD - BEN FULLER


Click here to receive an email when new blog content is posted.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thank God

-
Image
  Early last week, Rusty had an oncologist visit to review a recent Chest CT. These are done periodically to check his lungs since that’s the first place sarcoma likes to go. Everything still looked good. It seems the amputation has done its job at removing the cancer before it had time to spread.  On Friday, he finally had the surgeon’s visit he’s been waiting on for months. He was released to start the prosthetic process. It’s been a long road to get him where he is right now. It will still be a while before his new leg is complete, he’s able to walk on his own, and then eventually go back to work, but we’re finally headed in the right direction.  Thank you to everyone that has visited, called, texted, given us money, and most of all…prayed. We thank you all and we Thank God. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 I THANK GOD - HOUSEFIRES Click here to receive an e...
Read more

Here We Go Again

-
Image
  If at first you don’t succeed… Rusty’s wound hasn’t healed like they want.  He’s having another procedure later today to debride and reclose. He’s doing good over all and getting around well. Prayers for a successful surgery are appreciated. 
Read more

Third Time's the Charm?

-
Image
This morning, we sit in the hospital for the third time since April. Rusty’s wound still hadn’t healed and needed more surgery. The infection had made it to the bone.  The surgeon cleared the abscess and drilled the infection from the inside of the bone. He’s been on steady IV antibiotics and has received his picc line so that we can give them at home as well. We’ve been here since Thursday and hope to go home today but it depends on when the final susceptibility tests from the cultures are complete.  We know that God is all powerful and could heal without delay.  One might wonder why it would take three hospital visits to accomplish.  When I think of the significance of the number three, I realize how many times throughout the Bible the number three is mentioned. Some say it has special meaning and signifies completion.  Whether we believe the number itself has meaning or not, we know that God allows it for a reason.  Jonah may have wondered why he had to ...
Read more