By Rhonda Rhea
Do I want the receipt emailed to me? Printed out? In the bag?
Do I even want a receipt at all? What is this crippling pressure to make all these rapid-fire receipt-based decisions at every shopping stop? I’m embarrassed to tell you, I make a different decision every time. All based on nothing whatsoever.
Do I want it printed out?
Should I go the email route?
Do I want it in the sack?
Do I even want it back? (Tell me, please, if there’s a hack. Tell me or I might just crack.)
Ashes to Ashes
Okay, I might enjoy them for inspiration to come up with weird poems—maybe a song or two.
But what do I do with receipts I’ve saved throughout the season, walking through the winter shopping-lands? Kindling for the firepit? Later on, we’ll perspire. With receipts in the fire. I do understand sometimes you might actually need those receipts.
For tax purposes. Or to get reimbursed. Or in case you might require an alibi (I’ve seen that on TV).
The Receipt Kept Going and Going and…
An additional point to consider: coupons. I recently bought a hairbrush and a lipgloss. Two things.
Pretty sure the receipt was printing through most of whatever Bee Gee’s song was playing. About a quarter-milelong register tape, ya’ll. A half inch the sale, all the rest coupons.
Still, when I get a receipt, I almost always stuff it in my purse. Sometimes a pocket. Coupons and all. Then I wait until all the coupons are expired. Then trash it. Along with a big bunch of others that might be padding and over-padding my pockets and purses.
If you scan me at just the right moment, though, you might get at least 35 cents off a nice bottle of storebrand mouthwash.
The Only Receipt That Never Expires
Receipts. Good for noting what we’ve received.
Plus maybe a 35-cent coupon. In the physical. But on the spiritual side—the eternal—there’s no way to fully note all we’ve received in Christ. Isaiah 6:9 prophesied, “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (CSB).
Every day is a day to note what we’ve miraculously received in our Counselor/God/Father/Prince. Is there any other prince who, in a heart of gracious mercy, could take on the sins of the world? Is there any royal who would be willing to suffer and die to buy freedom for undeserving, mutinous subjects?
What a miraculous act of matchless, majestic love.
Prepare Hearts, Not Filing Cabinets
We never need doubt our God-King’s love for us.
The love-wrapped redemption plan proves it. It’s the receipt of all receipts. Jesus—the proof of purchase of all time. What joy! Just as the angel said to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is Messiah, the Lord” Luke 2:10-11 (CSB).
We’re singing it still. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room” So come on, every heart! Make room for the miraculous receipt of the glorious King. Prepare hearts. Not pockets or purses.
