Batteries Not Included
March 16, 2014
I was reminded this week why I like shopping so much at Bed Bath & Beyond. It’s because of one of their most endearing consumer friendly services. At checkout, they provide notification of how many batteries your purchase requires. And not only do they do the battery alert thing well, they make the purchasing of said batteries very convenient. Visibly hanging next to the cash register, alongside Orbit and Trident gum packs as well as the latest People Magazine, are a variety of battery sizes and quantities for your automatic hand soap dispenser or electric toothbrush!
After years of buying battery operated toys for my nieces and nephews especially at Christmas time, I finally caught on to how annoying my gift giving was to my brothers and sisters-in-law because of failing to include the necessary batteries with my gift giving. My forgetfulness in the power supply area placed a huge burden on my relatives to find batteries IMMEDIATELY upon presentation of presents lest their children be surrounded by useless, non-functioning toys! I had good intentions in the AA and AAA area. I often remembered to buy the batteries but just as often forgot to wrap them up with my gifts or bring them along to the family gatherings. And I understand the frustration I caused because I know what it’s like to buy something for myself and be “battery-less”. The item is useless without the power!
And God gets this too! In 2 Peter 1:3 we read, “…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness…” Everything we need, not some of what we need, or most of what we need, but ALL that we need to live a godly life is provided by Him. He gives us the power and then tells us in the following verses to be diligent and make haste to add to the faith He has given to us, qualities of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (2 Peter 1:5-7). His divine power empowers us to live a godly life that will make us useful and fruitful for His purposes and glory.
Now wouldn’t it be wonderful if vendors, instead of going to the trouble of printing on the package, “requires 2 AA batteries not included”, would just provide them in the first place? Life would be so much easier if ALL the power needed to make our gadgets useful were provided at point of purchase! (Sheryl)
“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:8