Tip of My Iceberg

Dressing as a cow would never be my choice for attire.

Don’t get me wrong. I love cows. Their melodious moos are calming. Their noses are soft. They tend to go through life masticating grass like a contemplative process. And they make protein fun.

But dress like one? I think not.

Unless, of course, it means free food.

The grandkids let us know it was Chick-fil-a’s appreciation day, a delightful piece of PR brilliance where you get free food if you dress like a cow.

You’ve gotta love those Chick-fil-a cows.

So Debbie and I met family members at our local Chick-fil-a, totally unprepared for what awaited us.

Cows and cowlets everywhere. There had definitely been a run on black construction paper and markers.

Tiffany and Ramsay showed up. Ears, tails, the works. When we found Heather and Jeremy and the four kids, my eyes were awash in black splotches.

Neither of us were going to eat, so we didn’t feel the need to dress the part.

We were the oddity.

What was amazing was the atmosphere of family and fun all over the restaurant. Adult cows shepherding little cowlets (can’t really call them calves). People joking with one another. Everyone appeared relaxed.

No one seemed to be alone.

All for free food.

It’s amazing what folks will do for something they think is free. Or an incredibly great deal. Getting something for nothing gives us such a rush. Like we’re getting away with something.

The flip of that coin is that we often take for granted that which has cost us nothing. If there’s no investment on our part, is it really worth the time and energy it may require?

I get bombarded by deals daily. We all do. John reminds me that if something is too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.

I can become quite confused and conflicted about all that’s free. Or appears to be free.

But there is one thing I’ve learned that is free that’s worth more than all the wealth I could ever hope to have.

Freedom in the love, truth and forgiveness of Jesus.

“For the wages which sin pays is death, but the bountiful free gift of God is eternal life through and in union with Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:23

Life costs us. Payday will happen at some point.

God’s gift of grace and forgiveness wasn’t free. To Him. It cost Him His Son.

Jesus died so we could receive a life which we can never earn.

Everything ultimately costs.

Even the good folks at Chick-fil-a are paying for your good will towards them with their appreciation days. It’s spectacular PR.

The question you need to be asking yourself is this: Is what I’m investing in daily, with my heart and soul, something that will benefit me permanently? Eternally? Or am I being taken in by someone’s great PR?

What’s your heart worth to you?

Photo three courtesy of restaurantmagazine.com.

Photo four courtesy of kvil.cbslocal.com.