Discounts

My father frequently quoted the village butcher who, long ago, bamboozled my grandmother. She bought seven items at 7 cents apiece and presented them at the register. The butcher said, “7 times 7 is 77 but you, madame, may have them for 66!” I did not immediately understand but this was my father’s warning that the world is full of chicanery. Something for nothing. Bargains that aren’t. I am reading Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship: “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.” I am beginning to understand that there are no shortcuts. No discounts.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Josh