It All Evens Out

We had two interesting stories happen to us the other day. Rebecca and I were out shopping for supplies for our work weekend. As we were walking into Home Depot, I noticed a leather container on the ground by the pansies. I picked it up and sure enough it was a ladies wallet. We took it in the store and gave it to customer service. They paged the owner over the intercom to come to the desk. Seeing that no one was coming and the fact that it was outside, Rebecca and I figured she had already left. We asked if we could look at it closer to see if we could find a phone number knowing she was probably frantically searching for it and canceling her credit cards. We couldn't find a direct number for her, but after making a couple calls based on some other information, we were able to get in touch with her. She was ecstatic that it was found and said she was on her way to where we were. She pulled up and appeared to be on the verge of tears. She thanked us many times and shook my hand. I didn't catch it as it was happening, but when she let go I realized she had put something in my hand. A glance at my hand confirmed what it was. I looked back up and she was already getting back in her car. I told her I couldn't take it, but she would not listen and was adamant that I have it. The meeting probably didn't last longer than a minute as she got back in her car and dove off. We went back in the store to continue our shopping and I looked at my hand a little more closely. Instead of one $20 that I originally thought, there were two $20. When we were trying to return the wallet I never envisioned getting a tip for it, but in the end who doesn't like getting $40?

The second story occurred about 8 hours later. That afternoon/evening we went to Lowes to get the other portion of our supply list for the weekend. We had one 10% off coupon so we were trying to get as much in one purchase as possible. Also the store was running a deal where if you spent so much on bath items you got $25 off. We met the criteria and one of the associates had told us it should show up on our receipt. After we checked out we looked at our receipt and didn't see any indication of it so we asked the cashier. Our inquiry resulted in a 15 minute wait as she and the manager tried to figure out the reason the register didn't ring up the discount. In the end, she had not scanned one of our bath items at all, so it failed to show on the register, thus failing to meet the minimum amount spent to get the discount. So the manager rang up the item and gave us $25 off of that. Had we not asked we would have gotten out of there 15 minutes earlier and $50 more in our pockets.

Looking back there are couple lessons learned.

1. You make money when you go to Home Depot and lose money when you go to Lowes.

2. More importantly, I learned more about my own flawed nature. While the thank you money that morning was unexpected, it immediately became mine and I thought of ways I could use it on myself. If for some reason it got taken away from me 10 seconds after I got it, I would put up a fight and claim it was mine. While she did give it to me, we certainly would be fine without it. That very night at Lowes, an error on their part ended up costing us $50 more than thought 15 minutes prior. It was their merchandise and we wanted to buy it, so of course we needed to pay for it. That's the right thing to do. However, as I walked out of the store, I somehow felt I had been wronged, even though we paid exactly what we should have. A few minutes later it hit me that after the morning and evening events, we had just about evened out by receiving an unsuspected $40 and then paying an unsuspected $50. Even though I didn't realize it at the time the Lord was taking care of us through it all. He provides for all of our needs and now I understand that this whole episode was just a way of showing me that it is all his anyways, and that I get way too caught up in what is 'mine.'

The day reminded me of the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant from Matthew 18:23-35. Where basically the servant is forgiven of a large debt from the King, but later fails to show the same mercy to the people under him who owe him a much smaller sum than what he was forgiven. When God gives me something unexpected I often take it for granted and act like I deserved it, much like the money from the wallet. Then, in the very same day, I get bothered about paying a sum that I rightfully owed.

The Lord took care of me and taught me a lesson even though it took me a while to realize it.

Thanksgiving

Even though we're no longer in school, Rebecca and I still get to take a similar style break for the holiday season. Since Samford shuts down and my business is in its seasonal slow, we got to take several days off.

My aunt and uncle from Minnesota were in town with my grandparents. They all came to Birmingham on Wednesday. So we had our family meal with them that evening. Rebecca and I then headed to Starkville to see her Dad's side of the family.

This was my 9th trip back to Starkville since we left at the end of July. This was my first time ever though to be in Starkville over Thanksgiving. The city was the calmest I've ever seen it with all the students and a lot of residents out of town for the Holiday. I went on my 'long' run before the actual half marathon next weekend. I did 12.5 miles in just under two hours. So I should be able to meet my goal of two hours for the actual race. We stayed at Mammie's house. Rebecca's parents were also there that first night. Thanksgiving day the rest of the family came to town. We had a great meal and I think I was the only one who went back for seconds. Maybe because I ran so much that morning. Soon after we ate it got very quiet as everyone found a corner to lie down and nap. That's one of my favorite parts of the holiday. A full stomach with nothing to do but relax. After everyone began to stir we decided to go to campus and take some family photos. The weather was still unusually warm that day so I'm in shorts. That evening everyone except Mammie, Rebecca, and me headed home. It was good to get some time with Mammie without all the action of the big crowd.

Friday was Mammie's birthday so we took her to Old Venice for lunch. When we got back they took a nap. Rebecca got in one of her 3 hours specials. I called up my friend Matthew so I would have someone to watch the Iron Bowl with. What and up and down heart break. Mammie had some extra tickets to MSU's basketball game so Rebecca and I went for the first half. Good to get to see the a little of the basketball team. Although I'd be surprised if we do very well in SEC play.

Our evening activity and reason for the extended stay was the MSU Egg Ball. The family we did the Bat Mitzvah for back in June asked up if we would shoot the event. Being a charity fund raiser they couldn't pay us, but it gives up the opportunity to sell the photos online and make a lot of good contacts. The event was to raise money for Kids Count. They had a live and silent auction, a band, and dancing. It took place on the club level of Davis Wade Stadium. It lasted four hours and we took a lot of pictures. It was a nice change from a wedding since we weren't in charge of anything and could just document the events of the evening. Hopefully we will get some orders. Even if we don't make a lot of money off the event, we were going to be in Starkville anyways for Thanksgiving and we got to spend some extra time with Mammie.

We headed out on Saturday around 1. We helped put up some of Mammie's Christmas decorations before we left. She had laid awake a good portion of the night with a fibulation in her heart. So she was thrilled when she saw her decorations up. It was a great trip and lots of fun with family. Rebecca was able to catch up on her rest and get away from editing for a while.  We are so fortunate to have such wonderful families that not only get along, but enjoy being with each other.