Dollar Menu

Life is expensive. Everything costs something. And everything that we really want costs more than something. Try taking a family of 6 to the movies. We're talking $100 before you get in the car to get home. Out to dinner? It costs that same family upwards of $75 at a family restaurant. Gosh. Needless to say a bigger family, such as we are, has to decide carefully what things they will do for fun and recreation.

One of our favorite summer things to do lately has been to go out for dessert after dinner. You know how after dinner, you want dessert, and its a lovely summer evening? We get that same feeling most nights. Our options are endless: Baskin Robbins, Sweet Frog, Dunkin Donuts. I mean...endless! Keeping in mind that for the 5 of us who want to take this adventure, we're talking $30...at least. So we choose carefully.

We have stumbled upon a gem. McDonald's dollar menu. Friends! Forget that its McDonalds and less than fabulous for your everyday diet. Its $1. So worth the treat. We can be spotted several times rolling through the drive thru ordering $1 sundaes and 2 apple pies for $1. Sweeeettt! Then we like to park in the parking lot, sort of near the Sweet Frog and chuckle at the line literally out the door and down the sidewalk. They wait while we enjoy. I know you might say their wait is worth it and I wouldn't disagree. Sweet Frog is happening for sure. But, you really can't beat $1 for dessert.

Following our latest dollar menu run we sat in the parking lot enjoying our favs. I thought, you know, this is just like Christianity. We can have something inexpensive, affordable...do-able and really ridiculously good. Yet, often we want what costs us more. We are tricked into believing we have to have something fancy, something that costs us a great deal because surely that is the better value. God is given to us free of charge. Free, friends! And yet, we go out looking for satisfaction in things that cost us our relationships, our peace, our joy and sometimes our sanity. They cost us more than we can afford to give but we are duped into believing the pricey is where its happening.

Consider that for much less pain and sacrifice, real peace could be enjoyed while the others wait in line for what they think is the better deal. Don't go out looking to satisfy yourself with expensive substitutes. They eat at your time and energy and leave you feeling worn out, washed up and wasted away. Enjoy your caramel sundae Christianity. Its worth the quick, easy access, small price and absolutely delightful taste. Taste and see that God is good.