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Coupons, rainchecks and rebates were my dad’s way of saving money on groceries and other household items. Because of this, even as a young child, I understood what “redeeming” meant.
Dad redeemed coupons a little like he played cards. He knew just what coupon to play, when to use it, and whether to request a raincheck or a rebate. Dad could get a box of cornflakes for 25 cents. And he might bring you along to go through the line separately, if two “Limit one” coupons were about to expire.
All of this didn’t just benefit our family. Sometimes Dad, who also served as a scout master, would redeem aluminum cans for 5 cents each, helping to fund my brother’s scout troop.
Like those recycled cans, we have been redeemed, taken away from a place where we were distant from God, made new, forgiven and freed to follow Christ in loving all people. Christ, our Redeemer, like an “all are welcome” coupon, like a raincheck of love, reconciles us with God. As those who are reconciled in Christ, we recognize God’s grace for us and extend that grace to others.
This message is excerpted from “Redeeming grace” by Elizabeth Hunter in the November/December 2024 Gather magazine.