Good Morning,
I just poured the last of my Door County Candy Cane Coffee for my Christmas in July celebration and it is time to write.
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
The ease of grocery shopping had it's chance to make me into a criminal and I am glad it failed.
Just yesterday I committed a mistake that could have had some bad consequences. I had filled my grocery cart with a lot of items and I was counting the savings in my head that I would receive when I turned in all my coupons. When it came time to check out I pulled my cart into the lane that was actually serviced by a human. The line of people behind me was a long one and everyone wanted to be done with their shopping.
I had purchased some 12 packs of soda, all of the same brand. I started to remove them so they could be counted in my bill. The check out clerk told me that she only needed one to be taken out of the cart. I placed the rest of my items on the conveyor to be checked and bagged. It was a hurried process.
I then proceeded to my truck and started to unload my treasures and as I grabbed the soda and moved two of them, there for the whole world to see was a package of taco seasoning that had slid down into the cart and was hidden by the soda. So yes it was a grocery item that did not get paid for. In my mind I was panicking a little. Now I was a hardened criminal. I imagined a life sentence for my crime. It didn't take but a minute for me to decide to return to the store and face the disdain of the 16 year old check out clerk as I confessed my crime.
there I was, with the taco seasoning and cash. I approached the same clerk who had checked me out originally. She smiled a said, "did you forget to pick up the taco seasoning". I replied no and explained how the package did not get paid for and I was willing to accept my punishment. She rang up the $1.19 and smiled and laughed. "Most people would not have returned and paid for the package. Sir, this is a first for me." I was still red in the face with embarrassment for my mistake. She said "it was also my mistake". I am supposed to ask you to check and see if all the items are out of the cart". Here was someone willing to share the blame for my mistake. I left with my seasoning and receipt in hand and avoided Alcatraz .
I was treated with respect despite my mistake and felt better about going back and making it right. This could have been seen as a shop lifting event. I could have been sent to the office and had to share my story with the manager. This young lady just helped me to stay an honest man and she made no big deal out of it.
Friends do we overlook an honest mistake when it belongs to someone else or do we make a big production out of it? Do we go out of our way to assist someone who just wants to make things right?
I was shown mercy and need to remember that when someone makes a mistake that impacts me.
Luke 6:31 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Food for thought.
Marty
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