Free is good. Free is always good!
I remember several years ago (can you say Vintage ’80’s?!) my sister-in-law, Sue, (who has written for us here, here and here!) won a contest at a local grocery store. She had so many minutes, (seemed like it was three), to fill her grocery cart with as much merchandise as she possibly could. If she could cram it in there and get back to the checkout in the limited amount of time then she could keep everything she had managed to squeeze in.
Oh my, I was there that day. People were cheering her on and hollering out what to buy or what to put back. The store was not a mega supermarket; it was a small grocery chain at the time, which also meant it wasn’t a Walmart SuperCenter or a Super Target, only normal grocery items. They actually stopped everything in the store, no one was allowed to shop and no one was working; all eyes were on Sue and what she could get for FREE.
Pack it in she did! She was smart and had thought ahead, or maybe her husband had thought for her, but she went for the high value items: Huge roasts, steaks and chops, mega-size laundry detergents and softeners (did you see the Top Job floor cleaner?), and some frozen foods. She sure didn’t waste her time on the little and insignificant things that you can buy every day, she went for things she wouldn’t normally grab or for those that were considered special for certain occasions.
What about you? Do you come in expecting to pay, over and over again, for something Jesus already gave His life for?
Friends, He paid the ultimate price and now Jesus welcomes us to come in, grab a cart and fill it up with everything He has to offer: Peace, joy in the Holy Ghost, comfort, righteousness, eternal life and so much more! He invites us to be free from anxiety, worry, fear, nervousness, dread, burdens, questions, distractions, weights and anything else that keeps us from getting rest and enjoying the life and freedom He has promised us.
We can have every, single promise that is in His book directed to us. He holds nothing back!
Or maybe our lack of belief that He will do what He said he will do! We end up paying for our mistakes, sometimes more than once. That is not freedom, friends.
“In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.” Psalm 118:5.
What kind of price are you willing to continue paying for yourself or your family when you could be FREE?
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14.
Imagine living as though every day, you got up, grabbed your cart and said, “What do you have for me today, God? Fill up my heart with all of You and your attributes that I might go out and share it with others.”
Picture Sue in that grocery store loading up on all the good things of God instead of groceries! Then, go, fill up your cart in the morning and distribute it all day long. Go to bed, get up and repeat!
Today, everything is FREE…
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Sharing with FiveMinuteFriday, Fellowship Friday, Looking Up, Faith Filled Friday, Grace and Truth, Dance with Jesus, Sunday Stillness, Give me Grace, Weekend Brew
I love these pictures! It reminds of the grocery shopping spree in The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio. Grabbing everything for free is also a good metaphor for grace. I’ve been struggling to articulate this concept to a friend – I think all the grace we could possibly hope for is offered to us, but we do have to reach out and grab it!
I am so thankful that everything I could ask for is FREE. Today I’m asking for healing, both physically and emotionally, and for a good ole does of joy overflowing. Thanks for linking up to The Weekend Brew!
A trolley dash sounds awesome! So does the Supermarket Sweep, I love stuff like that 🙂 God is always more amazing with His promises! Thank you for visiting ♥
I love this picture. I always liked the idea of a trolley dash (as we call it in the UK) and had a secret dream to go on the game show Supermarket Sweep (not sure if that’s just a UK thing too!)
But how much more amazing to fill our cart with God’s love and goodness and promises! No holding back or being “polite” but accepting all he offers us and sharing it with others.
Amen Sandra! So glad Jesus paid the price so we didn’t have to. Blessings! ♥
Thank you Kaylene! I will be visiting later today, thank you for stopping by and filling up your cart! ♥
Thank you Susan and for all of your sharing! Blessings to you sister in Christ. ♥
Thank goodness everything is free and thank goodness for His freedom
Love this!!! Today I’m pushing around my cart full of His peace & joy! Thank you for this great analogy.
Truth! Nanette, thank you for the reminder that Jesus paid the price for us. It’s FREE for us to come to Him. Beautiful
Thanks for joining the dance!
Thank you Kelly. I want to load up too! He is standing there with open arms and invitation, ours for the taking…and giving. Blessings!
I don’t think I know that one? I know Shane and Shane but may have to look that up in a minute! Thank you for sharing and for visiting. I will be around your place in bit! ♥
Wonderful story, wonderful connection. I love how God speaks to us in object lessons. This makes me think of the song Liberty by Shane & Shane. Jesus set us free!
Yes. I want to fill up on all the goodness of God. I want to load up. Thank you for inspiring my heart. The price has been paid and I have so much to be thankful for. Praise God! Joining you from Susan’s linkup.
Can you tell how many years ago that is Cheryl? I am thinking about 35 if memory serves me right. My how things have changed! But yes you are right, we don’t accept allHe has for us. Blessings to you. ♥
Hi Denise. So glad you stopped by today. Blessings to you! ♥
Thank you Martha. I am heading over to see your take on FREE. Blessings!
Thank you for visiting and following! I will check for your post later this morning 🙂 We really need sleep!! Blessings to you as you fill your cart with His goodness ♥
Working on my FMF post…still need a photo to go with it to complete it!
What a grand and glorious story!
I love this analogy of grace given as free…and lots of it!
I’m going to fill my cart today and smile! (virtually filling the cart of my heart).
Thank you!
Jenn
hi nannette, i enjoyed the illustration of your sister and her free groceries:) good one!
I love this post.
What a wonderful thought! I believe we live so far below our privileges. Jesus paid such a horrible price to give us an abundant life, yet, we don’t take all that is coming to us. That looked like it was a ball to go through that store and get all of that free stuff!!! OH, my, what blessing that was! Thank you for sharing, sweet friend. God bless you. 🙂