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Sunday, March 18, 2012

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.

7 comments:

Cindy said...

Thank you for passing the pastor's story along to all of us. It's one to share with my children. And to ponder more myself.

Sprice said...

Wow, that is a wonderful story, don't we all need it! Thanks for sharing! Happy Slicing! :)

Lee Ann Spillane said...

Just what I needed to hear this afternoon! What a great story your pastor used this morning. Thank you for sharing it.

JenniferM said...

Ooh, that's a really powerful story! As soon as you got to the part where he was eating the sandwiches, I was thinking "But meals are included on cruises!" Your ending was so powerful -- what a neat slice!

Linda B said...

What a neat story, Carol. I often have told my students "if you don't ask, you don't get". At least that's what I think is the lesson. Those who stand back & wait do miss opportunities. Thanks for this.

Linda said...

You're right, this is a very touching and thought-provoking story. I'll be thinking about it for quite some time. Thank you for sharing it with us.

PAMELA HODGES said...

Thank you for this slice. I think I have been eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiched for years.