SLICE #18- PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES

Just back from church. 

My pastor is doing a series about grace.

Today he told a story that I think will stick me for a long time.

"There was once a man who dreamed of going on a cruise 

for many, many years, but he never had the money.

Finally, a friend who knew about the man's dream

purchased a ticket for him.

The man packed his clothes, and his swim suit, 

but he also packed something very strange-- 

seven days' worth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

When he got to the ship, he unpacked his suitcase,

and put his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the little refrigerator. 

For the first few days of the cruise,

the man enjoyed the view, and the pools, and the activities.

At meal time, though, he would pass up the beautiful buffets-

the steak and eggs, the peeled shrimp, the gorgeous desserts,

and head back to his room 

to eat his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

Finally, after three days, he was tired of sandwiches.

He went to the maitre'd and said,

"What does it cost to eat in the dining room?"

The maitre'd said, 

"It doesn't cost anything. 

It's included in the price of your ticket."

I cried during the final hymn 

as I wondered how many times I had settled for peanut butter

when God intended for me 

to eat from a beautiful buffet.