It’s always a joy to begin my day in prayer, humbly letting God know I am reporting for duty and seeking His will in my life. I pray for divine appointments and cherish the opportunities He provides. Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Fridays are shopping days for the Quinn household. Last Friday, Shelley was busy with another project, so I ventured out solo with my to-do list in hand. I stopped to fill the Tahoe with gas before heading to Sam’s Club. On the way, I enjoyed listening to uplifting music on our local 3ABN Christian radio station, preparing my heart for the day.
Once at Sam’s, I faced my first challenge: finding a shopping cart that didn’t wobble or squeak. After a short search, I began my shopping adventure. The store was bustling, much like a busy Texas red-ant bed, filled with shoppers navigating the aisles. With our carefully prepared list, I confidently moved through the store, picking up items for our household: cat food for our outdoor feral cats, paper products, veggies, beans, frozen fruits, spinach, almonds, walnuts, and more. My cart was soon overflowing.
One convenience I enjoy is the Scan and Go app, which allows me to pay digitally by self-scanning with my phone to avoid the crowded checkout lines. After scanning my last item from my crowded cart, I headed to the exit, where the attendant verified my transactions by checking purchased items to the receipt.
I routinely park a good distance from the entrance to incorporate some extra steps into my day. After walking nearly every inch of the store, I was now glad to be unloading my cart and looked forward to sitting for a while. Noticing a large bag of Meow Mix on the bottom trey of the cart prompted my memory. A troubling thought struck me: I forgot about this. Did I pay for it?
I quickly pulled out my phone to review my digital receipt. To my dismay, the cat food wasn’t listed, and I really didn’t have time to go all the way back in to the store. A strange thought darted through my mind: It’s as much their oversight, as mine. They won’t miss it; they make plenty of money. It’s a $25 blessing to me. Quickly, but gently, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the truth: No! This isn’t a blessing; to leave without paying for it would be stealing.
Ephesians 5:15–16 calls us to be careful how we live—to live wisely, not like fools—and to use every opportunity God gives us for doing good because these are evil times. Convicted, I snapped a photo of the bag with my phone and headed back into the store, standing in the long line at customer service to make things right. When it was finally my turn, I explained to the associate, “I must have overlooked this bag of cat food in my cart. I owe you some money.” Showing her the photo, I noticed her eyes well up with tears.
“Thank you so much,” she said. “Very few people return to correct such mistakes.” She looked up the price, and I inserted my credit card into the receiver. As the receipt printed, we exchanged smiles. I apologized for any inconvenience, and she replied, “Thank you, JD.”
It surprised me that she had addressed me by name, so I asked, “How did you know my name?”
“I watch you on 3ABN,” she said, adding, “I see Jesus is real to you.”
Returning to pay for the Meow Mix wasn’t just about correcting a mistake; it was an opportunity to live out the faith I profess and show Christ’s love in action. This interaction reminded me of Jesus’ promise, “‘But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Even in the simple act of correcting a checkout oversight, we have the opportunity to be witnesses for Christ, embodying truth, honesty, and integrity wherever we go.
Sometimes our selfish carnal nature is tempted to take advantage of circumstances that unfairly favor us—especially if we think no one is watching or will be the wiser. We must remember that angels are always a witness to our actions. And this is what the Lord says to you and to me in Isaiah 43:1 “… ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.’”
I invite you to pray with me, Oh, Lord, You know my name! You see me! Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit to guide my actions in Your path of life. Help me to invite Him daily to be in charge of my actions, and cause me to remember that even the smallest choices can honor Your name, loving Father, and make a profound difference. Oh Lord, help me to remain faithful. Use my life, Lord, as a witness to Your righteousness and love. Use me to touch someone’s heart, and help them realize You know their name, too.
