Good morning! Last night we went to our local sporting goods store to return a bat that Josh won in a raffle from his little league. The bat was not the right size and he wanted a different style bat so we were going to use the money towards another one. When we arrived, we walked over to the customer service area and were greeted by this young man named Kyle. Because the bat was received as a giveaway during opening day, we did not have a receipt. We explained the situation and he went on to check with his manager to see if this was something he was able to help us with.
Kyle was able to exchange the bat for a different size or give us a gift card for thirty one dollars. We were OK with either, but the price on the tag that was still on the bat said fifty dollars. Without us even having to mention it, Kyle explained that the bat was currently ringing up as thirty one dollars so that was all his manager was allowing him to refund. We left the bat with him thinking we would complete the transaction after Josh picked out a different bat.
We went over to the baseball section to shop around for another bat and a couple other things that Josh needed, and in the end – after what felt like an eternity LOL – we went back to Kyle for the refund. He asked us if the gift card was OK and we agreed. Without any further inquiry regarding the price, he came over and said that he was giving us the full fifty dollars for the bat. He told us that his manager said he couldn’t, but that it was the right thing to do for us.
WOW! That is the favor of God at work in our lives! In addition, that is someone who went out of their way to put a complete stranger’s interest above his own. Thank you Kyle for your kindness to me and my family! I do not know if Kyle knows Jesus, but He sure made us feel special!
As crazy and messed up this world can be at times, there are still people who stand out and stand up to do the right thing, regardless of how it may affect themselves. How much better would this world be if there were more people like Kyle?! We cannot lose hope in each other!
The problem lies here – that we often expect this of others, but are not so quick to extend the same selflessness. Many times we want what we want, when we want it. Like the old days of Black Friday when people would wait on line to get into a store only to trample anyone who would get in their way and try to get to that special sale first! I never saw people that would get up early, wait in line, and try to get in first on behalf of a complete stranger – that just sounds ridiculous!
The book of Philippians challenges us to follow the example of Jesus in how we treat the people around us. Whether you have heard this scripture before or not, it will challenge your mindset regarding the interactions you have with others – your family, friends, coworkers, and strangers!
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4
Of course this is telling us to model our lives after Jesus – who put our interests above His own as He willingly laid His life down in exchange for our sin and shame! How challenging is this?! Are we willing to put someone else’s interest above our own if it means that they get something and we get nothing, or even worse – instead of receiving nothing, we receive a punishment? I’m not the first one to raise my hand for this – anyone else want to go first LOL?
Seriously, let’s allow God to TRANSFORM the way that we treat the people around us! Recognizing the example of what was done for us and extending that same grace to the people around us. It will make us better, it will impact the people around us. and most importantly it will honor God!
Heavenly Father, thank You for how You put our interest above Your own! Thank You for people like Kyle in this world that inspire us to live selflessly. Help us to be people that look for opportunities to display Your love to the people around us by putting their interests above our own! In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 