*Pastor’s Note: This is another one of those great anecdotal stories from the past that used to circulate by email before the social media craze hit. It is one I have saved for years. Enjoy and be blessed!

As I was walking down life’s highway many years ago, I came upon a sign that read HEAVEN’S GROCERY STORE in big bold letters. When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide.

When I came to myself I was standing inside. I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said “My child shop with care.” My understanding was that everything a human needed was in that grocery store and what you could not carry you could come back for more.

First I got some Love. Patience was in that same row. Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go. So I also picked up a box or two of Wisdom to go with the understanding, and some Faith, a bag or two; and Charity of course I would need some of that too. I couldn’t miss the Holy Ghost, He was all over the place. And then some Strength and Courage to help me run the race I was in.

My basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace, and then I saw Salvation and I knew I needed that, and I spied the Salvation was for free. I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me, but the angel stated it was only one to a customer. Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill, for I thought I had everything I needed to do the Master’s will.

As I went up the aisle, I saw Prayer and put a big helping of that in, for I knew when I stepped outside I would run into temptation as it was all over. Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf. Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself. Then I said to the angel, “Now how much do I owe?”

He smiled and said, “Just take them everywhere you go.”

Again I asked, “Really now, how much do I owe?”

“My child” he said, “God paid the bill a long, long time ago. It’s available to anyone, all they have to do is come.”

Author Unknown