One story, one soul…for God and his kingdom

“So, since your friend’s place is near the grocery store, could you pick up a few groceries then?” Toby’s mom said to him

“Sure mom” He replied

“Here’s a list of the things to buy”

“Mom, am not walking around the store with a piece of paper.” Toby said with disdain

“Okay, I’ll text you the list.” His mom replied emphasizing “text”. “Kids these days”, she said, shaking her head. “Here’s some cash for the grocery”.

“Whoa! A hundred dollar bill!”

“You better keep it well and bring back the change.” She said in a firm voice

“Sure mom! Cross my heart!” Toby replied laughing.

“Oops! Gotta go now! The bus is almost here!” Tony grabs the money from the kitchen table and runs outside to the bus stop. “Phew!” he said, “That was close.”

Absentmindedly he showed the hundred dollar bill in his pants pocket all squeezed up.

***

At his friend’s house… 

Toby arrived at his friend’s house for the birthday party. There were lots of guests.

“Your mom makes really good desserts” one of the guests said to another as he made a sharp turn and bumped into Toby, spilling his drink on him.

“Aww, sorry man” The drink stained his shirt and pants.

“Yikes!” Toby replied

“You know what, I can get you a change of clothes and quickly throw your clothes into the washer. They will be dry before the party is over.” His friend who is having his birthday said to him

“Thanks man,” Toby replied. Turning to the guy who had spilled the drink on him, “Don’t sweat it, it’s alright.”

“Thanks” the guy replied

Shortly later, wearing clean clothes and chatting with friends, his phone beeped. He checked and it was a text from his mom on the grocery list.

“The money!” His mind screamed and he ran to the laundry room.

“Chucks!” He said as he took the rumpled and wet hundred dollar bill from the wet pants which had been in the washer.

“Aww man!” Maybe if we keep it near the fan, it will dry out faster” His friend said

***

An hour later…

“Basket ball anyone?!” A voice shouted 

 Some of the guys went outside to play in the front lawn.

Toby looked, the money was all dried. He’d love to play some basketball, but how to make sure the money is safe, his friend’s pants he is wearing at the moment don’t have pockets, and his own clothes are still drying.

He decided to fold and put the money inside his socks underneath his feet, that way he would always know where it is.

Happy with himself he went out to play.

***

At the grocery store, he’d gotten everything on the list and was walking to the check out.

He wondered if he would really check out as he thought about everything that happened to the money. Would the money still be accepted? Can it still pay for the groceries?

Slowly he gave the money to the cashier, “Oh, a hundred dollars” the cashier said as he raised the money to light  and looked at it.

Toby stood cautiously still

The cashier gave him the change and said “Have a good evening.” 

Toby let out a breath he’d been holding.

Walking to the bus top to catch a ride home, he thought once more about the events of the day and all that happened to the money, 

“It is still a hundred dollar bill, it didn’t change!” he said excitedly.

..No matter what you have been through, whether you’ve been bruised or broken, neglected or forgotten, stepped on, you name it…, it doesn’t change the value of who you are.

You are still a masterpiece created in the image of God