It pays to be honest

This experience happened awhile ago as well, but was such a good experience that I want to remember it, but I know I won't unless I write it down.

One night, while Taylor was in class, Isaac and I went to Fred Meyer. (Side note: I've never been to a Fred Meyer until moving here, and it is brand new and it is WAY nice...) Anyway, I was just looking for something and I definitely got distracted. I eventually wandered into the shoe department. I found some shoes that I really liked--and I am NOT a shoe girl--so it was a big deal that I actually liked these shoes. Well, it was buy one get the second half off. I couldn't resist. So I bought two pairs of shoes with the justification that if Taylor didn't like them, I would return them. Well I didn't even get home before I said "No, I am going to return these tomorrow." I didn't need these shoes, what I really needed and wanted were sandals. So, the next day during my lunch break I took the shoes back. I was on the phone with my mom so I really was not paying attention.

The girl refunded me the full price for both pairs of shoes. (The second pair was half off originally). Well, I go and get Isaac, go home and have lunch, and I was about to tell Taylor how I returned the shoes and it clicked. I got more money back than what I paid. Instantly, which I reluctantly am admitting to now, thought--no one knows...that's an extra $20 bucks in my pocket...I really don't want to drive back to Fred Meyer....BUT, then the thoughts of...that's not right...Taylor wouldn't keep the money...be honest...etc, all flooded my mind. It really was a moral dilemma. Enter guilt ridden conscious.

After work I drove back to Fred Meyer to tell them I got too much money back. I get up to the counter and tell the associate that they gave me too much money and was like "oh, ok." Enter more thoughts: not even an "oh wow, that is so good of you to come back"....or "thank you for doing that" ... or "not many people would be that honest"...so I was now a little peeved that my good deed was not appreciated.

Well, the associate could not figure out how to fix this, so after a few minutes she went and got a manager or someone to help her. The manager looked at the receipt and then looked at me and said, "Don't worry about it. It was our mistake, we will fix it on our end."

Enter guilt again. Just a few moments earlier I was getting upset that I didn't as little as a thank you for coming back and now this lady was going to let me keep the money...HELLO!?!? I felt terrible for being upset just a few moments earlier.

I just looked at the manager, dumbfounded, and said, "No....are you sure?" I asked several times but she just sent me on my way.

So, moral of the story, it really does pay to be honest. :-)

But, in all seriousness, I look back at this whole experience and really did learn something. The Lord truly was testing me. It wasn't until I had left the store, been away from it for over an hour when it dawned on me what had happened. I feel like my test was to see if I would obviously do what was the right thing to do. It is weird to me that it didn't register what happened when the gal originally refunded my money. It wasn't until later that it distinctly came back to me that I had a choice to make...keep the money or go back. It was an internal battle between right and wrong. Gas prices just jumped up, or, honest conscious. I am grateful that I was strong enough to go out of my way to go back and make everything right because I know that I am now even stronger because of it. I hope to remember this always and pass it on to my children.