Checkout Time

It is Thursday and the last day of the month.

My primary monthly income is a Social Security check, which is normally received between the first and third of the month. I live on those funds in addition to whatever other gifts God provides via family, part-time employment, gifts, or other avenues.

Now I had just enough food for three days, including a free loaf of bread from the thrift shop, and some drinking water. I was sure that everything, except the water, would last until my Social Security check arrived. I was right. The drinking water lasted until this morning. Last night I had begun to search for ninety-seven cents with which to buy a gallon of water. I found sixty cents—a quarter, two dimes, and three nickels.

Then I found enough pennies to complete the amount needed.

I kept praying that I would find a quarter so I would not have to go into the store with all those pennies. It was then I realized that my pride was very much alive. I was ashamed to go into the store and count out thirty pennies in order to pay for the gallon of water. I was ashamed of my pride, ashamed of being ashamed. God’s Spirit gently reminded me, “None of this is about you, Helen! The battle is between God and Satan.” God had promised to meet all my needs, so why was I worried or ashamed? Satan had tested me, but now God would be glorified. After seeking forgiveness, I went into the store, got my water, and slowly, at the self-checkout, I inserted each coin into the slot. As I left the store, I remembered that checkout time for our Savior had not been an option. Peter reminds us, “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times” for our sake (1 Peter 1:20, NIV).

The decision to die for the sins of humanity was settled before the foundation of the world. Having become sin for us, He bore our shame on the cross.

He bore my pain and my shame. There is, therefore, no justification for pride. Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name, for Your love and Your commitment to transform us frail human beings into the image of Your Son. Thank You for taking away my sinful pride.

Amen.

Helen O. Byoune