I’m thinking the question was “what would you do for a kit-kat bar?”  but then I remember it was “what would you do for a Klondike bar?”  (probably a lot, I love ice cream)  But today I found out just how far I would go for a coupon to save some money on my groceries.  It all started out innocently enough.  I was making good time in the store, my cart had everything on my list and I was in the checkout line.

It was then I realized that my coupons for today’s purchases were still in my car. In my hurry, I had forgotten to bring them in with me.  Well, the line was long and the carts were full, so –  you guessed it.  I gambled and ran, no sprinted out to the parking lot, to my car, to retrieve my oh so valuable coupons.  I was back with time to spare.  As I sorted my coupons, I noticed the one for the yogurt I had purchased said, “good with the purchase of six.”  Now wouldn’t you know,  you guessed it.  I had five in my cart.  (always read the fine print before purchasing)  I eyed the line and calculated my chances of getting to the back of the store, where the yogurt was, and back to the checkout line in time.  I gambled and ran, again!

I sprinted and arrived back with my most important, sixth yogurt in hand, in time to start putting my items on the belt.  As I did this, I looked again at my handfull of coupons and (I am not making this up)  the yogurt coupon was now missing!  Only one explanation was possible.  I had dropped it somewhere between checkout and the refrigerated foods at the back of the store during my mad sprint.  This was too much.  I had come too far to admit defeat now!

So back I sprinted, retracing my steps.  As my groceries were moving at breakneck speed down the cashier’s conveyor belt, I was moving at what I hoped was an equally breakneck speed through the aisles of the store.  Who would win this race?  I was determined it would be me!  And fate stepped in to help me out in this moment.  I found my prized coupon on the floor about midway through the store.  I didn’t have to go all the way back to the yogurt section for a third time.

Proudly presenting my one dollar and fifty cents off (the purchase of six) coupon to the cashier, I congratulated myself on overcoming all odds and obstacles that stood between me and my saving some money.  (look for a movie to be made about this victory in the near future)

So this got me to thinking  . . .  I did all this to save one dollar and fifty cents.  Am I as intentional, as persistent, as determined when it comes to my relationship with my Heavenly Father?  Do I pursue Him with anything like the determination with which I pursued redeeming that coupon?  What would I do for  . . .  a chance to know Him more fully?  a chance to walk with Him more closely?  a chance to hear His voice more clearly?  What would I do for the opportunity to serve Him more completely?

Am I as determined to redeem my time as I was to redeem my coupon today?  Both have an expiration date!  But one has eternal consequences – the other is inconsequential.  And yet which one did I passionately pursue today in the grocery store?  I need to pursue my God with the persistence and single-mindedness with which I pursued redeeming a simple coupon this morning!

That is how I want to spend my days – overcoming all odds and obstacles that stand between me and the purposeful pursuit of my Heavenly Father and all that He stands ready to reveal to me or to anyone who would seek His face.  What would I do for  . . .  my Heavenly Father?  run, sprint, return again, and again – as many times as it takes .

Today, I let nothing stop me from redeeming my coupon.  Everyday, I want to live in such a way that no obstacle will stop me from redeeming my time with God, nor from using my time for God’s purposes.

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  (Psalm 90:12)

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  (Ephesians 5:15-16)

“This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it – the Lord is His name:  ‘Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ ”  (Jeremiah 33:2-3)

sincerely,         Grace Day