Grace in the Pickup Line
Job 19:25 — For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.
I ease into the Walmart pickup lane, toddler in tow. There are crayons scattered across the backseat, and the radio hums softly in the background. I just let myself sink into the moment.
For a minute, I just sit there and remember the first time I tried Walmart pickup. From what everyone told me, it was supposed to make my life easier. But when my bags arrived, I discovered that something had gone terribly wrong.
I noticed I was missing tomatoes, chicken broth, shredded cheese, and other key ingredients I needed.
First world problems, am I right?
But something about that poor experience made me decide that this kind of grocery delivery was not for me. There was, of course, no way I would ever do that again.
Then I became a mom.
Juggling burp cloths and bottles, working full time, and absolutely needing a break, I decided to give curbside delivery one more try. And it was amazing. I mean, the workers load the bags in your car for you, the toddler wasn’t wrestling out of a shopping cart, and I could take a moment to relax after a busy day.
There’s nothing like a re-do, right?
I left that first experience with a bad taste in my mouth, but it’s a shame it took me so long to give it a second chance. Now I’m it’s biggest fan.
And I know this is strangely deep when talking about Walmart Pickup, but that’s what the whole gospel is about. Isn’t it? Re-dos and redemption.
In scripture, Job said it best—declaring hope not from ease, but from the depths of loss. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth.”
Jesus is our redeemer. He is the God of the Re-do.
And I realize grace like this isn’t just for other people, I need it too. Grace for trying again after a stumble and for giving myself a second chance when the first attempt did not go as planned.
As I merge back into traffic, I realize that God offers us these little invitations more often than I notice. Maybe what feels like a mistake is actually a blessing in disguise. Maybe God is saying, “Try again. This is meant to work this time.”
And I wonder, what might you discover if you say yes to a re-do today?
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
- Where in your life have you written something off as a “bad experience” and decided not to try again?
- How does knowing that Jesus is your Redeemer—the God of re-dos—change the way you view your past mistakes or disappointments?
- Is there an area where you need to receive grace instead of withholding it from yourself?
- What might God be inviting you to revisit, retry, or trust Him with again today?
- How can you extend the same redemption and second chances you’ve received to someone else this week?
