Ok, here's the truth...
Yesterday my family and I were at JcPenny's. They had huge sales and we bought a butt load of stuff. One of the things I bought was a new purse. I had it on my shoulder when we checked out and I totally forgot to pay for it. We walked out to the car, bags in hand, and when I reached into my purse to grab my keys I realized it wasn't my purse.
I ran back into the store to pay for it.
The girl at the check-out counter was so impressed that I brought it back and paid for it. She kept going on and on about how cool it was that I was honest and brought it back. I was like, "Of course...it's not like I'm going to shoplift!" Somewhere deep inside I thought, "You should tell her WHY you wouldn't shoplift...because of your relationship with God." Sadly, I ignored the thought. I kept telling her that I would never steal something and that I couldn't believe someone would actually not come back and pay for it. I never gave God any recognition. As far as she could tell I was just a nice, honest person. I took all the credit, leaving God none.
As I spent time with God this morning, I was trying to figure out why I did what I did. Was it pride? Embarrassment? Stupidity? Shame? I think it's all of those things and probably more.
How often, as Christians, do we miss the opportunity to show people that God is real and that He makes a difference in our lives? I'm ashamed to say that for me it happens more than I'd like.
God forgave me. I forgave myself. But I hope that I learned from this mistake.
And I hope you do as well.
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