Basic Growth

There was a farmer, Perley Moore, who had recently bought a truck and found that the "basic price" was only the beginning. Once the salesman had added on all the extras -- towing package, toolbox, fifth-wheel attachment, etc. -- the price was quite a bit higher. Well, by a strange turn of fate, that same salesman stopped by Perley's farm one day to buy a cow. The dealer examined the herd, picked out a likely specimen, and asked about the price.

"That's a hundred-dollar cow," Moore replied directly.

"That's fair enough," said the salesman. "I'll take her."

"Well, now, that's the basic price," Moore added, getting out pencil and paper. "There are one or two extras, of course." He made a few notes and handed the paper to the dealer. Here is the final invoice:

Basic cow: $100
Two-tone exterior: $45
Storage compartment and dispensing device: $60
Four spigots @ $10 each: $40
Genuine cowhide upholstery: $75
Dual horns @ $7.50 each: $15
Automatic fly-swatter: $35

Total: $370

Of course I laughed. That's quite funny and true.... my phone bill reads the same way. Then I started thinking it's true in our spiritual lives too. In John 3:13 Jesus explains the basics: "I tell you the truth, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" and you grow from there...... just like Jesus did. We discover in Luke 2:52 that "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." We get to grow in the same way. Jesus left a path for us to follow in God's word and a helper (Holy Spirit) to empower us in our quest.

String a pearl: Wherever you are on your life journey..... grow on my friends. There is so much to learn and so many ways to grow. God has much He wants to teach you. "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near". Isaiah 55:6

Know you are loved,
Lyndi