Redeemed

He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

Psalm 103:4

I broke my foot. I wish I could tell you that I tripped running a marathon or performing some other athletic feat, but instead I tripped over my tall, athletic husband’s foot! And to add insult to injury, I did it in front of other people. My husband and I were making our way through the convention center to cheer for our daughter’s volleyball game. On the way to our seats in the bleachers, I went to hug another mother, and to my chagrin, I did not step gracefully.

For the first time in my life, I received an unsolicited signed note from the foot surgeon permitting me to apply for a blue handicapped-parking tag. At least my embarrassment earned me two months’ legitimate use of a prime parking spot.

However, I balked at getting the tag because it required a trip to the DMV. I imagined an unbearably long line and kept putting it off. Three weeks of hefting my big black boot on my foot still didn’t get me there to take care of the handicapped-parking tag. The doctor’s crumpled order was somewhere in my purse. When my mom visited me and expressed regret that I had not redeemed it, I realized how silly I had been. I had missed out on a great deal of help that had been offered to me.

“Lord, that is the way it is with anyone who knows You personally! In addition to Your gift of salvation, You offer us all the benefits and privileges of being Your child. But it’s up to us to take advantage of all the love and help You offer us.”

When my faith feels faint or I fight selfishness in showing His love to others, I remind myself of my days spent hobbling around in the big black boot. His grace and strength are mine to claim as my own if only I take the hobbling step to accept them.

Surrender yourself to Christ right now and receive your eternal parking tag; it not only assures your place in heaven, but it also guarantees you the Holy Spirit’s power today!