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Monday, April 14, 2008

I Need To Be Rescued!

Recently my daughter and I went to return two articles of clothing we had purchased at a department store that did not fit. I happen to notice a table near the checkout stand covered with jeans on sale. I quickly picked out a pair that I hoped would fit and proceeded to the counter. I provided a receipt for my return and waited for the clerk to complete my purchase.



She scanned the receipt and price tags quickly, stapled my old receipt with the new and blurted out the amount of my credit. As she handed me a bag with the jeans in it, I thought to myself, “The amount of the credit she just blurted out was the amount of my return and should have been reduced by my purchase?”

My daughter and I turned and began to walk out the store and through the mall to pick up another item. Once out of the store, I pulled out my wallet and looked at the receipt. The clerk had indeed given me credit for my return but had not charged me for the jeans. I mumbled something to my daughter as we entered the next store. We knew exactly what we needed, made our purchase and headed back through the mall.

I realized that at this moment I had a choice. I was tempted to just continue on, out the doors, to our car, and head home. I had just received a free pair of jeans because of someone’s mistake. As we headed to the escalator I knew what I was supposed to do, but again I also knew what I was tempted to do. I was not proud of myself at all. I was ashamed. All of these thoughts had swirled through my mind in a matter of seconds. I told my daughter that the clerk had not charged me for the jeans and that we were heading back into the store to pay for them.



I went to the counter where I had made my purchase hoping that the clerk was still there. She was and I quietly whispered to her that she had not charged me for the jeans. She abruptly said, “Yes I did” and proceeded to grab the receipts from my hand. Her face appeared startled. I am sure in her teenage mind she was thinking, “Lady, what are you doing coming back? You could have left with a free pair of jeans.”

Somehow I knew in those seconds while riding down the escalator I was being confronted with a test. No one knew but me of this mistake. My young daughter had not been really paying attention before I said something. Who would be harmed by me walking right through the store and going home with a twenty-five dollar pair of jeans? The large department store would never feel this loss. But in a matter of seconds I knew in my heart I wanted to pass this test.

She scanned the jeans, I paid for them, and we left the store. Although I knew I had been a person of integrity in that moment, I also knew how deeply I needed to be rescued. If I had been left on my own, I would have sunk quickly. I would have walked out of the store with a pair of jeans I had not paid for.

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.


Psalm 25:8-21



In Him...Chris



Chris can also be found at her personal blog Come to the table

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14 Comments:

Blogger Denise said...

Bless you sweetie.

April 13, 2008 at 11:30 PM  
Blogger Sarah@Life in the Parsonage said...

I, too, have had those moments. It's amazing that the closer I grow to Him, the more aware I am of how much I need rescueing, ALL the time!
Loved this one, Chris...thanks :)

April 14, 2008 at 7:15 AM  
Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

We've all been there! Thanks for sharing and not hiding behind a mask of "perfection."

I know that was a seed planted in that salesclerk's life, as well as a great example for your daughter.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (I Cor. 10:13)

April 14, 2008 at 7:43 AM  
Blogger Heth said...

It's in those moments that our character proves it self, listening to the Holy Spirit in those times when no one else would know the difference. This blessed me Chris.

April 14, 2008 at 9:14 AM  
Blogger 2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Thanks for being honest enough to even admit you were tempted--many Christians would not readily use a real-life example of facing temptation, but that's the point of a testimony: real-life stuff! This makes you relatable.

April 14, 2008 at 9:16 AM  
Blogger Sandy said...

Awesome, Chris. I read this passage in the "Message" too and it's so clear. Thank you for sharing.

April 14, 2008 at 9:34 AM  
Blogger melanie said...

Chris, thanks for being real. The worse is when this happens and you realize it after the kids are all loaded in the car.. ugh! Not only was it their mistake, but in order to fix it requires more effort on your part. Those moments of against the norm looks from the sales clerk makes you wonder if there isn't more significance in the situation than a mistake. Anyway, i'm rambling.. have a great day!

April 14, 2008 at 9:37 AM  
Blogger Shaun and Holly said...

The same thing happened to me one day...

It was tempting...

I was at the store and purchased 2 sets of dishes. Didn't realize until we were home that they only charged us for 1. I called the manger on the phone(secretly I was hoping he would reward me integrity and give me them anyway). He thanked me for my honesty and asked me to come in and pay. I did. The kids thought it was interesting and we talked about doing the "right" thing even when we can totally "get away" with doing the "wrong thing"!

April 14, 2008 at 10:33 AM  
Blogger windycindy said...

This is one of those "Been there, done that" scenarios. I know as a one tims clerk, whomever closed the cash register drawer that night would have found the mistake. The sales clerk could have had it taken out of her paycheck. You were very kind to tell the truth to her! Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

April 14, 2008 at 11:42 AM  
Blogger lori said...

Just because we KNOW the right thing to do does not mean the temptation disappears...What a lesson on integrity...which is a BIG word around here..one of the TENETS of TAE KWON DO that my son takes...."doing the RIGHT thing, even when noone is looking..." Not ever easy, nearly IMPOSSIBLE without the LORD pulling you into what is RIGHT...

I'll be sharing this with my people tonight...I hope you don't mind...your jean story...moves on!!
what a wonderful message Chris!!
blessings to you...and I DO hope those jeans FIT!! (or you'll be heading BACK to the mall!:))
lori

April 14, 2008 at 2:03 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

I find it so curious nowadays that people will sort of chastise you for being honest, rather than thanking you!

Thanks for doing what was right regardless of who was watching - the angels in heaven were partying hard for your godly decision. :)

April 14, 2008 at 6:31 PM  
Blogger Linda said...

I'm sure your obedience will have far greater blessing than you can even imagine Chris. I'm ashamed to say that there have been times where I've ignored that "still, small voice", and have felt such terrible guilt. The times when I've been obedient have been so much better :-) You taught your daughter an invaluable lesson and blessed the Father's heart.

April 14, 2008 at 8:18 PM  
Blogger Tracy said...

I'm touched by your honesty. I too have been there, and you're right, it's often tempting. Recently this happened to me and when I went back, the store clerk tried to "shush" me and send me away. I couldn't tell if she didn't want the other employees to know of her mistake, or if she just thought I was crazy to pass up something free, but she actually seemed to get angry when I persisted about paying. I know those who don't have Christ don't "get that" but I'm praying a seed was planted through our interaction that day. Thanks again for sharing. This blessed me today. = )
Tracy

April 15, 2008 at 7:08 AM  
Blogger Tammy said...

Great post! We teach this to our children even while they are young, but we all face temptation like this no matter how old we are. Thanks for sharing!

April 15, 2008 at 10:52 PM  

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