PENNY CANDY

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. I Peter 4:10, ESV

When I was growing up in a Chicago suburb, there was a small convenience store at the end of our block, Al’s Market.  Often, I would be sent to the store to get an item needed by my mother or a neighbor in order to complete a recipe. Prices at Al’s were higher than those at the larger grocery which was the destination for weekly shopping, so such trips were not as frequent as I would have liked.  As a thank you for running to the store, I would be told that I could pick out some of the penny candy located behind the checkout counter in the store to be added to the price of the item needed. Usually this wasn’t much – just the number of pennies that would round up the purchase to the next dime.  I can recall the difficult decision on what to purchase, as there were probably 15-20 boxes of penny candy. There were chewy Mary Janes, wax bottles with a sweet drink inside, and candy buttons on a paper strip, to name a few.  There were some candy selections that I never picked like the Red Hots, a spicy candy.

I grew up in a predominantly Roman Catholic community. My classmates would often brag about what they were giving up for Lent – chocolate was often selected. For those who did not abstain from meat on Fridays, doing so during Lent became important. A few years ago, a Catholic friend of mine was contemplating what to give up for Lent, when I suggested that maybe adding a spiritual gift of service would be a better way to serve God. She took my advice!  

Thinking back on the penny candy selection process, I am reminded of the scripture above from I Peter, or similar verses from I Corinthians or Romans about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are now entering Lent, the season of contemplation leading to Easter Sunday.  It seems like a good time to review all the opportunities at St. John’s to identify a gift of the Holy Spirit that would make us a good steward of God’s grace. Maybe it is time to pick a new opportunity. The possibilities are at least as numerous as the penny candy in Al’s market. Like the reward of some penny candy for a trip to the corner store, selecting a stewardship opportunity during Lent will have a sweet reward. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we contemplate your path to the cross to save us sinners, may we seek the gifts you have given us through the Holy Spirit. Help us to discern what you would have us do to further Your kingdom at St. John’s. Amen.

Carol Rice