Heaven's Grocery Store

I was walking down life's highway...just needing things galore. When suddenly I saw a sign that read: "Heaven's Grocery Store." As I got a little close, the door came open wide; and pretty soon I found myself there inside. I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere.

One handed me a basket and said, "My child, shop with care."

Everything a Christian needed was in that grocery store. All you couldn't carry, you'd come back the next day for more. First, I got some Patience. Love was in the same row. Further down was Understanding. You need that everywhere you go. I got a box or two of Wisdom, a bag or two of Faith. I just couldn't miss the Holy Spirit, for it was all over the place. I stopped to get some Strength and Courage, to help me run this race. By then my basket was getting full, and I remember needing Grace. I didn't forget Salvation - that is free. So I tried to get enough of that, to save both you and me. Up the isle a way was Prayer, and I just had to put that in. For I knew that when I stopped outside, I'd run into sin. Peace and Joy were plentiful, they were on the very last shelf. Songs and praises were hanging near, so I just helped myself.

Then I started to the counter to pay the grocery bill - for I thought I'd gotten everything to my Masters will. I inquired of an angel, "Oh, sir, what do I owe?"

He looked at me and smiled and said, "Just take them all to go."

I was confused, so again I asked, "How much do I owe?"

Again he smiled and said, "JESUS PAID YOUR BILL...A LONG TIME AGO!"

Your church is God's grocery store - - help yourself and come back for more.
Author Unknown

I'd heard this one many years ago when I was working for a Christian school. It's one of the many lessons that stayed on my heart to this day.