Day 25 ( receipts)

Excitement and exhaustion are mounting in equal measures.  The boys finished school yesterday and I finish work today so the end is in sight .  I cant wait to not have to get up in the morning and for the odd pyjama day by the fire.  And for the boys to open their presents.  That will be the best bit.

Ive kept the receipts for most things , just in case.  And as I was thinking about the blog yesterday the word ' receipt'  kept coming back to me.   A receipt is a piece of paper - a document- which proves that money, goods or information have been received.  It proves to both the buyer and the seller that a transaction has taken place and possession of that document usually entitles the buyer to a refund or a return in case of faults or dissatisfaction.   Funny isnt it that a small piece of paper can be so important. ?

These days people place alot of importance on proof.  If you can't prove you bought something from a certain place at a certain time then the chances of getting your money back are slim.  It is hard evidence and people would rather believe the piece of paper than your word.

What is the hard evidence in your life that you have been purchased by God?

If someone wanted proof that you have been paid for - what would you show them?  The hard evidence rather than just your words.

It seems to me that the receipt we have to show people is the Holy Spirit and more specifically the fruit that He grows in us.

For me the patience and the self control are the hardest to display to others.   I think I can display some peace and some faithfulness and quite a bit of kindness.   But self control...... hmmmm,  I'm not sure there is enough of that in my life to constitute hard evidence of belonging to Jesus.   But hey!  I'm a work in progress.  And so are you  😊

This Christmas as we put receipts in a safe place just in case, and as we possibly return things in January to get a different size or colour or whatever, let us remember that just as the world requires those small pieces of paper as hard evidence that something has been purchased, so the world is looking for hard evidence that we belong to Jesus.   It's in our words, our attitudes and our actions.  It's the fruit of a HOLY Spirit who is living in us and constantly changing us to be more like Jesus.   He is our heavenly receipt.  Proof of purchase.  Proof of ownership.  And we are so thankful that He has come and put His stamp on us.