Baggers (1/04/2024)

I went to the grocery store yesterday. The young man bagging the groceries was so polite, asking me “paper or plastic?” He bagged everything so nicely, and he put all the bags in the cart for me to take to my car. All was going well until I got to the car and realized the bags were loaded for a strong man. I may look quite substantial, like I could tilt a cow by my lonesome, but the truth is, I have a weight limit due to a medical condition. None of the bags were “light.” I think I need to volunteer at the store to train baggers.

It's not his fault. I should have mentioned to him that in my case, “less is more” – the less weight in the bag the more delighted I will be. In his mind, he was probably doing me a favor by putting the goods in as few bags as possible, decreasing the number of trips needed from the car to the house. Life is like that. We aren’t all the same, our needs aren’t always the same, and most of the time the other hasn’t a clue. When things like this go wrong, there is no ill intent, only poor communication.

But the whole incident got me to thinking (probably not a surprise to any of you). I have a lot that I know that would be of benefit to others if I simply shared. However, the greatest gift I have that the world could benefit from is knowing that there is a LORD whose love for us is so deep and so pure it is without equal. I know that the Father Almighty sent His only begotten Son to us for love of us and for our salvation, to conquer sin and death. I know the Son gave His life for me and for you so that we might have life and have it abundantly. Will I share that with others?

As we begin this new year in the LORD, let we disciples who understand the power of giving to another what they need to succeed, share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ through word and action. Let us be not only willing but eager to speak of Christ and His great love for us. Let us also be not only willing but eager to live the love of Christ as He commanded us – “Love one another as I have loved you.” After all, it is the Good News and it should never be treated as a secret to be hoarded but rather news to be shared.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.