They were FREE!
One evening in Ocean City, New Jersey while my mom and son, Nicolas, were walking on the beach with the metal detector, they came across a pair of sunglasses. Covered in sand and sea scum, they looked like something worth throwing away, so into the bucket they went with the intention of disposing them once back at the house. Well, for whatever reason, once they returned home, they decided to rinse them off to see what was what. Girls, they just so happen to be the very nice pair of $200-ish Ray-Ban vintage lens aviators that now happily reside on my face whenever the sun is shining bright. They are the BEST sunglasses I've ever owned - no squinting! Yay! :) It just goes to show you that we should always look a little deeper. Sometimes what first may appear like garbage could really be treasure lying underneath. I mean that literally and figuratively!
Thank you Mom and Nic! I adore my little beach treasures - and the treasure that I have in both of you as well. :)
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My favorite little farm stand is having a special going on this week - mention "Facebook" while shopping at Renninger's Farm and they'll give you a FREE sangria watermelon (while supplies last)! We picked ours up on Thursday and we have loved on it a little bit already. Typically $5 but this week FREE. Check out their Facebook page for details.
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Last year, my husband was doing a window job for a Benjamin Moore store going out of business and they asked us to please take some paint off of their hands...oh really? No problem! A few minutes later, we had 9 gallons of FREE paint in our trunk. Hello...score! :)
Currently, one gallon of our FREE paint (in the color Sedona Clay) is being used on this "beaut":
I bought this dresser last year at a yard sale for $25 (the black spray paint came later thanks to one of my lovely yet somewhat destructive children). I had always planned on putting it at the bottom of our bed but recently I changed my mind and now it's going in our living room in place of our entertainment armoire. Cannot wait to get that beast out of our living room and replace it with this beauty...or at least, I think it'll be a beauty when it's done? Not gonna lie, I'm kinda nervous about it. BUT...with the right color, new knobs and new feet, I'm kinda thinkin' she might be a winner. Stay tuned to find out!
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Last, but definitely not least, on my list is my salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Now, here is where I tie it all together...(thanks for being patient with me...)
I had no problem accepting those sunglasses as a free gift. I had no problem accepting that watermelon as a free gift. I had no problem accepting that paint as a free gift. So why, so often, do I have a hard time truly accepting my salvation as a free gift? Even just today, I prayed, "Father, please forgive my unbelief (to be read, lack of faith)!". The Bible says that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains (Matthew 17:20) so I guess faith isn't as easy for us as it should be. My heart believes...I know it does...I can feel the Holy Spirit's convictions often to prove it. But my head...my head has such a hard time wrapping around the knowledge that an all powerful God who always was and always will be...Creator of Heaven and Earth sent His Son to die a cruel death on a cross for...me?
I feel like I can never live up to that and very often frustrate myself with that knowledge. Feeling very unworthy because I am. I can NEVER be worthy. I will NEVER be worthy.
But listen...I did NOTHING to deserve those sunglasses either...did NOTHING to deserve that watermelon...did NOTHING to deserve that paint...and I can do NOTHING to deserve my salvation.
All I can do is reach out and take it. Trusting in Him that He speaks Truth in His Holy Word.
There is nothing you nor I can do to ever deserve His free gift of salvation. Just take it. HE is yours for the asking.
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
me."
How about you? Will YOU accept His FREE GIFT today?
Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
I'm linking up with Lindsay over at Hello Hue for the first time this weekend!
It truly is all about the little things!
Who says nothing in life is free? :)
oh sister of mine! i hear you, and for me, this "accepting" has been heavy on my heart by way of "what am i doing about it?" if i believe and have accepted this, then how am i changed by it? and how am i not being bold (2 cor 3:12 in context)in reaching out to others with this?
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