In the Price of Your Ticket

I heard a story today and it left an impression on me. It’s supposedly a true story, but the lesson it provided was something I needed to hear.

The year was somewhere around 1910. A young lad wanted to make the journey to the United States, so he saved up all his money for a one-way ticket on a ship that would be sailing there. He had spent his entire savings on the ticket. The trip would take about 6 days, so as he packed for the trip, he filled one of his bags with bread and cheese. Knowing he didn’t have the resources to purchase food on the ship, at least this way he wouldn’t starve.

Each day on the ship, while the other guests went to the dining halls to eat, he would pull out a piece of bread and a bit of cheese. He was rather embarrassed about this, so he would hide away in his cabin to eat what he had brought. Sometimes the food cooked for the guests smelt so good, it made his mouth water, but he knew he didn’t have the resources, so his bread and cheese would have to do. 

On the very last day of the trip, he was walking on the deck and began conversing with another passenger. They struck up a friendship, shared their stories of where they had come from, and why they were making the journey. Since it was nearing dinner time, the passenger said, “I’ve enjoyed talking with you and I’d like to introduce you to my wife. Why don’t you join us at our table for dinner?”

He was embarrassed to admit it, but the man had been so kind to him that the young lad felt compelled to be honest. “The truth is,” the lad started, “I used all the money I had to purchase my ticket for this cruise. I didn’t have enough money left for food, so I brought along some bread and cheese and that’s what’s been sustaining me on this trip.”

The man looked at him inquisitively and said, “You do know that all your meals were included in the price of your ticket, don’t you?”

Sometimes I forget that God has already paid for everything I need in life. Instead, I make plans, I execute strategies, and then I worry when those strategies aren’t as successful as I originally planned. For some reason, I think I have to do everything on my own.

When it comes to Myasthenia Gravis, I often feel like I have to be proactive, that I need to worry about what lies ahead, that I have to anticipate every curve in the road, that I always have all my ducks in a row. In reality, God has already taken care of those things and when I get nervous, all I have to do is ask Him for help.

The young lad didn’t realize meals were included in the price of his ticket, but I already know that everything I need in life, God will provide. I just have to ask and trust Him.

Oftentimes I find myself wondering how I’m going to make everything work. I don’t need to worry. God has promised to take care of me and I know he will. I don’t need a duffle bag full of provisions, just in case. I need trust in Him who provides everything. Sometimes a little patience doesn’t hurt either because God will do things in His own time and not necessarily in mine, but I don’t have to worry. He will take care of everything.

When you find yourself worried or troubled, go to God and ask Him to take care of your needs, your concerns, and your troubles. He’s included our meals and everything else we need in the price of the ticket we call “Life”.