January 21, 2019

THE TRIP:

I recall a story that was part of a sermon the Pastor shared awhile back that left a very big impression on me. I want to share that story with you.

Many years ago a family in Eastern Europe was living in a region that was under great distress and danger due to political turmoil. The husband, wife, and 10 year old son desperately sought some means of escape to find a safer and better life than what they faced daily.

A distant relative knew of their plight and since he was financially stable he made arrangements to relocate them to Italy and for them to board a ship that could take them to America. Once in Italy and preparing to board the ship, the mother gathered food that would be somewhat non-perishable and could sustain them on the trip.

Upon boarding the ship they made their way down into the hold of the ship with other refugees and found an area to spread some blankets where they would ride out the voyage. The mother was careful to ration out the food she had brought since they weren't sure how long this trip would take.

The 10 year old son would get fidgety and anxious and asked his father if he could top-side and see the ocean but his father continually refused to allow it fearing for his son's safety. A time would finally come when the father relented and told his son, “You can go up for a little while but stay away from the railings and be cautious around the people there. Don't be gone too long because we will be eating a little soon.”

After the son had been gone for about an hour the father began to worry and told his wife that he would go top-side and try to find the boy. He scouted the deck several times over and finally entered the main dining room. There at the Captain's table, next to the Captain himself, sat the little boy devouring a healthy plate full of food. The father appeared shocked and dismayed, but the little boy looked up and said, “This is all paid for. Uncle Stan bought full passage and it's all paid for.” The captain was smiling and nodded toward the father.

How many of us sit in the dark, dank recesses of the hold when God sent His only Son to pay our ransom, to pay full price for us children? If God counted us worthy enough to sacrifice His own son that we would be worthy of His multitude of blessings, then we are worthy indeed in His sight. Worthy, period!