Dreamers Into Doers -- marthastewart.com

Gift Card and a Funeral

Last week, I was out and about running errands when I remembered that I had two Sears Gift Cards that were due to expire. My sister in law was coming into town to help me paint so I was in a hurry to get back home. The gifts cards were for $10 off a minimum purchase price of $25. Being the frugal person that I am, I was already prepared to spend no more than $30 to use both cards. My husband put in his request for me to buy memory foam pillows that had recently went OFF sale. The regular price $19.99 each.

To my surprise, the Sealy pillows were back on sale. Sale price $8.99 each. I quickly grabbed them and began to look around for other bargains remembering that I had to spend at least $25 per card to get the discount. I found sheet sets and accent pillows for my daughter's room. Beaming over my bargain finds, I went to the register to check out.

After she rang up my items, the cashier apologized and said "I'm sorry mam but I forgot to take off your 50% discount." Before I could respond she continued, "You get an additional 50% off of already marked items. You'll need to go back and get some more items." Tickled pink, I quickly turned and grab two plush towels that I was admiring earlier. I went back to register and waited as she rang up my items.

Two women walked behind me and waited in line. I turned and smiled at them. I could tell that they were mother and daughter. They gave me a weak smile and looked down. The cashier was still having some trouble with the register. I thought to myself, "Man, I'm holding everybody up. I'll just give Dot, (my sister in law) the other card. Then my flesh kicked in and I thought "Screw Dorothy, I'm gonna keep this for myself." Hey, I'm just being real. Then God said, "Give your other gift card to the ladies behind you." I thought to myself, "Why? These women are gonna think I'm crazy. They don't look like they need it." Then God said again "Give it to them".

By this time the cashier said, "Mam, I'm sorry but with all of your discounts, you still don't have $25 in purchases. Could you go and pick out something else?" I was like "YEAH!". I turned to the lady behind me, handed her the card and said " God Bless You." While I went to grab another towel, the cashier started to ring up the mother/daughter couple. When I came back, the older lady turned around and thanked me again. I told her it was no problem. And then she looked at me and said, "I really needed something like this to happen. We are here shopping for my husband's funeral. I needed for something like this to happen." And then she hugged me and she hugged me. I was consumed with emotion. I wanted to cry, scream and yell all for different reasons. I thanked God for using me but I could also feel that woman's pain.

She and her daughter thanked me again before leaving. I tried to fight the tears as I paid for my items. In an instant, my life changed. It is my prayer that as that lady sat her husband's funeral, she was able to remember the gift card and the love of God shown to her on that day. I pray that it gives her comfort to know that while her loved one now sleeps, love on earth still remains, even if it is in a gift card from a stranger.

The voice of God will take you places that carnal eyes cannot imagine

Obedience is the ticket to making your destiny happen

In the twinkling of an eye, your life can surely change

But you must first know the voice of God and when he calls your name.

From My Heart to Yours

voice of God and when he calls

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Comment by deborah tiko on December 4, 2010 at 11:04pm: I don't know when this entry was posted, but it was very inspirational!

Comment by Bridgett Mack on September 9, 2010 at 2:54pm: Thank you! To read more of my work, I encourage you to join my mailing list. Just send your email address to lsmagonline@yahoo.com