Honesty is the best policy.. unless you work there...

Unheard of... another post... three in a week... hold onto your shorts, this is a good one... 

(I have no idea where that little ditty on the left is from, but I love it!) Progress- not perfection, right? Thanks to Facebook- the land of perpetual plagiarism...

Which brings me to today's topic... 

Maintaining honesty (integrity) in today's world. 

It IS possible. Sometimes, it's even entertaining... 

A few nights ago, I had to mail out a few packages from a local office supply store that also does USPS/Fed-Ex, UPS, etc... 

As I entered, I realized I needed the mailer packages, so I sauntered off to get the two I needed. 

Approaching the area designated for "mailing," I saw that there were a plethora of people waiting to be served, and the two girls behind the counter were wrapped up in one particular (agonizingly demanding) customer. 

It was interminably hot in the store. As I steeled myself for a long wait; drenched, I thought of the Uber rides I could be providing. 

Needless to say, I forgot to pay for the shipping mailers in my hurry to leave. 

Three Uber rides later, I was back at said store to pay for my envelopes. After taking a screen shot of the two (different) envelopes' SKUs, I headed off to the clerk I had dealt with earlier.  

The clerk looked at me like I had three heads as I explained my visit's purpose.

She sent me off to another clerk to try and pay. After explaining my story repeatedly, he responded that he was shocked that I came back to pay for it. I told him that I answer to a Higher Authority that wouldn't appreciate me stealing. 

He then proceeded to charge me for two of the smaller envelopes, rather than the larger and smaller - hence, too little. Negating the receipt, I was still pondering the math as I left the store.  

As I was trying to get away  leaving, the Holy Spirit prompted me to go back and explain, yet again, that I owed them money... 

Wanting ever so much to actually leave the store, I strode back in again. 

Visions of the movie Ground Hog Day filled my mind and dazed expressions of disbelief greeted me with the next set of obstacles clerks, as I again explained that I needed to pay more. 

They ambled of to find the manager. He came back with them, and said, "Ma'am, while we really appreciate your honesty, let's just call this thing even. Have a nice night." 

I just find it so curious that it was so shocking that I would want to make things right. 

But yet and still, I maintain that I did the right thing. Lights in the darkness, right? ;) 


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Digging in

Hello again! 

It's been a year since I have really had anything to say. (well, at least here)

I have been in a holding pattern of sorts, which may or may not be a good thing.

Have you ever contended for something? Stood your ground, fought the good fight, kept your eyes on the prize and all that? All the while, you watch your phone, emails, and mailbox for answers? 

Digging your heels in, you hold your breath in anticipation, sure that the answer is just around the corner? 

As time resolutely cranks past, the answer is too glaringly evident. It's a "NO." Whether it's sonorous or a whisper, it's still the same. 

Disappointment sets in the cracks of your heart, as you struggle to make sense of it.

It is at that very moment that I have a choice to make. 

I can become bItter, or I can become bEtter.. 
One little letter, so many facets.  

God tells me over and over that I need to trust Him. Especially when things don't make sense. When the bills are in collections, and I lose my job. When the doctor comes in with a terminal diagnosis. When the car is totaled. When I am betrayed. When "he" breaks my heart. 

Trust in Someone I can't even see? 

If I choose to look at this problem as a drop in the bucket of eternity, it looses the paralyzing grip on my heart. 

I love the Psalms, they always speak to my heart. 

Ps. 37:23 says "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way." 

Ps. 62:8 "trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." 

and 

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You." 

Be encouraged, for those that are His, there is GOOD to come out of it, somehow. it might not start there, but it will get there. 

"and we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28 

Have a GREAT day, and keep on keepin' on! 

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My Gratitide List

So, it's been a while.

Thank you for stopping by. I will try and make it brief, as I know that the average "hit" only skims quickly to see if they might be interested by the topic at hand... I will most likely lose you there.. lol ...

But seriously...

Did you ever notice that it's hardest to be thankful about things when the going gets tough?

For instance:

• When your last good nerve has packed up and moved to Shanghai? 
• When your stress level has soared to explosive? 
• On a day when you crashed the car, lost your phone, and got dumped? 

One thing I have learned in recovery is that the times that I have to stretch the furthest to find something to be grateful for, are the times I need it the most desperately. 

Even if you aren't a Christian, being thankful has it's benefits... 

Check out this article by  Amit Amin  

http://happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/