Let me share something that I witnessed last week; it's an experience that I wish I hadn't been present for, but certainly it was one hard to ignore and easy to learn from. I had stopped at a big chain fabric/craft store last week, in the early afternoon, for an item that I can't find elsewhere. I encountered an irate customer there who had stopped to buy an advertised sale item only to find that the store had depleted their stock of that item shortly after the doors had opened for business that morning. The clerk was apologetic and offered other, like items, also at a discounted price; but she wouldn't even consider a substitute. She was angry, boisterous and downright rude in her behavior toward the clerk. I was standing in line to be helped, with others; those of us who were waiting exchanged pained glances, it was embarrassing and awkward to be in the presence of this raging customer. But then, she said something that struck me...
to the core: "I won't spend a penny more than I need to" she bellowed, "what I am working on is for charity, not for myself, so the cheaper the better!"
"Please, God,"
I prayed to myself on the way home
"show me every day the joy associated
with giving abundantly and freely to those in need.
Remind me that You love a cheerful giver
and let me offer my very best at all times
so that only glory is returned to You."
Amen.
Life is Good!
