It’s Labor Day weekend and end of the summer barbeques and swim parties are in full swing. To join in the festivities, I decided to prepare my own intimate cookout with just my immediate little family, which includes my husband and son.

On Saturday, I went to the Amish market to purchase fresh meats, salads and vegetables. Boy, was it crowded! Every stand had a long waiting line and tempers were short. I zipped around the market as if I had roller skates on J

Since I had not eaten all morning, I decided to wait on the pretzel line to get one of those infamous tasty, freshly baked and unsalted joys of buttery goodness. As I approached the stand, I saw a boy playing with a red Nabi while sitting in front of the stand’s window watching an Amish woman make the pretzels. When I got closer to ordering my food, I realized the Nabi was still laying on the counter! Reluctant to leave my place in line, I decided to leave my cart, which contained all of my purchased goods including a dozen of freshly baked donuts, to stop the parents from leaving the store.

I tapped the mom on the shoulder and asked “did your son leave his Nabi?” She turned around and asked him “where is your Nabi?” The child quickly ran over to the stand to retrieve his toy.

Well by this time, I had an audience. The parents thanked me at least four times, before leaving the store. As I returned to my cart and resumed my place in line, I was approached by another woman who said “You will be blessed tremendously for what you did.” I replied “I was just doing the right thing…it’s no big deal, really.”

Another woman behind me jokingly says “While you were trying to do the right thing, I wanted to take your dozen of donuts!” We both laughed; I ordered my one pretzel and left.

The woman’s comment got me thinking. How many people felt the same way that she did? Could I have ultimately been a victim while trying to prevent someone else from losing something valuable? Why did other people think my actions were commendable?

Confessions:

Due to the large crowds of people, I became frustrated and didn’t project my light.

Affirmations:

I am an honest Christian woman, who wants to spread the good news about Jesus Christ through my words and actions.

Prayers:

Dear God,

Thank you for all of your grace, mercy and love. I pray that others will walk the paths of righteousness and let honesty and love rule their lives.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.