When I was a boy living on the marsh, Dad would sometimes take us to Pars Grocery for a treat. This was just a little store on a curve in the road in the middle of the marsh. Everyone who lived in that area stopped to buy the things they needed from Pars.
There are two things I remember most about this little stop. First, the sign that hung over the back door read “Dodge City Jail”. It was directly over a big door made like a jail door!
Second, the other (which affected us kids the most) was the sack full of penny candy we would get there. Candy such as Black Jack, Bazooka Bubble Gum, Chick-o-Sticks, and Cracker Jacks, filled a little bag which wasn’t as big as a lunch sack. Nevertheless, it would be stuffed full. And no matter what we asked for, we always had just the right amount of money!
Joy
These little bags of candy brought us so much joy and happiness. For we knew when dad said, “Lets go to Par’s!”, we were in for some yummy treats. I still remember brother and I getting back in the back seat of the car and comparing what we got. If he got something I didn’t, we would share. It’s interesting how as children we always wanted to share the things that gave us joy.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” — John 14:27
Today, I have the same goal. As an adult, I want to share the joy I know in serving Jesus. I want others to experience the peace He gives me when things seem bleak.
Rewind Time
For a moment, let’s pretend we are kids again. Let’s sit down as I show you all the treats that our Heavenly Father has given me. He has given me joy and peace: those treats of joy and peace I wish I could share with you.
But here’s the difference: I can’t give you this because our Father wants you to reach out and accept it from Him directly.
“What will it cost me to get this peace?”
“4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” — Ephesians 1:4-5
See, there is no cost to you, except that you love and devote yourself to our Lord and Savior through the confession of your sins. The price has already been paid for your joy and peace. See, before God created the world, He chose you.
You just need to accept it. As a boy, all I had to do was to run to the car — that was where my Dad wanted me to be, because he wanted to reward me. It’s the same now: when you get to where your Father wants you, you are going to be rewarded for your love, trust, and faith.
Peace, Rest, and Joy
Let me leave you with this thought: do you have enough peace, rest, and joy? Or, are the things bothering you and you just can’t see the end in sight? Know that all three of these wait for you in our Fathers love!
A lot of the candy we used to get back in the early 60’s no longer is sold, and I them. But God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Ghost is the same today as who they were back then. God does not change, neither does this love ever “go out of production” for you.
“6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” — Romans 5:6-9
May God richly bless you, and may you find the same piece and joy that I know in the love of Jesus!