NO CHARGE

by Shirley Caesar

while she was fixing supper

and he handed her a piece paper he had been writing on

and after wiping her hands on an apron

She took it in her hands and read it

and this is what it said:

For mowing the yard $5

And for making up my own bed this week $1

For going to the store $.50

And playing with little brother while you went shopping $.25

Taking out the trash $1

And for getting a good report card $5

And for raking the yard $2

Total owed $14.75

Well she looked at him standing there and expecting

And a thousand memories flashed through her mind

So she picked up pen and turned the paper over and this is what she wrote:

For the 9 months I carried you holding you inside me $ NO CHARGE

For the nights I sat up with you doctored you and prayed for you $ NO CHARGE

For the time and tears and the costs through the years

There is NO CHARGE

When you add it all up the full cost of my love is $ NO CHARGE

For the nights filled with grey

And the worries ahead

For the advice and the knowledge

And the costs of your college

$ NO CHARGE

For the toys, school, and clothes

And for wiping your nose

There's NO CHARGE son

When you add it all the full cost of my love is NO CHARGE

Well you know when I think about that

I think about the day that Jesus went out to Calvary and gave his life as a ransom for me

When I think on the words "If Any Man be in Christ He's A New Creature"

I like to think about the very minute that he shedded his blood

My debt was paid in full

And I want you to know today

when you add it all up

The full cost of Real Love is NO CHARGE