Something that irks me more than anything is when my integrity is questioned – especially when it is by one who knows me – or I thought knew me. I can think of only one example though I know that more exist. The one example I can think of happened so many years ago it’s a wonder I do remember it.
I was working for Standard Brands at
the time. My position was cashier and I
took a clients money, set it on top of the register, counted back her change, removed
the ten dollar bill from the top of the register, checked out the letter and
first three digits of the serial number (a trick my brother had taught me) and
then she told me that she had given me a twenty.
I looked at the only twenty in my
drawer and compared the serial number to what ten laid on top. She had given me a ten – not a twenty. But she went over my head and got a manager
who seemed to agree with the statement that “the customer is always right”. Well, guess what, the customer is NOT always
right. There are people who are scam
artists that will say anything to get what they want – regardless of whom it may
hurt. I was livid!
I told the manager exactly what I
had done and proceeded to spit out the letter and first three digits of the
serial number. It did not mean
anything. My drawer would be short at
the end of the night. I was so angry. And sure enough, it was that exact amount –
an extra ten dollars because my boss had taken the customers word over my own.
In this day and age we are all
victims. A youth may report anything
about an instructor, a parent, or guardian – even if they are only doing it as
a joke. It can’t be taken lightly. Foster kids get moved from one home to
another due to false allegations.
Teachers lose their jobs. And oh,
two months down the line – whoops – we made a mistake. But the damage has already been done. The reputation of the individual has been
marred.
This is one reason why the youth classes are now encouraged to have two leaders in the classroom - a protection for each other as well as the students they serve. I remember a time when it was okay to sleep in the same tent as the leader. Nothing damaging happened but I understand the reason that we don't do that anymore. We don't do a lot of things anymore. Thank you natural man for ruining that for all of us!
In this day and age it seems to be
more damaging – or perhaps just more publicized. Good is evil and Evil is good. Politicians
lie about their opponents. Politicians
lie about themselves. I learned in
Sunday School yesterday that the faith in God has been dropping in our
nation. At one time there were 75% of
all people who professed religion and that number has dropped to 30%. How in the world can you live on this planet
without turning to diety? I would not be
able to survive without the comfort of prayer and a constant plea for His
protection. I am helpless without
it.
I am an honest person. Perhaps too honest. Is there such thing? Like when the underwriters constantly hound
you about an insurance policy that you
increased at their suggestion. Or
jumping hoops just to get a loan, or a job, or an education or whatever. Why would you not want to make God a part of
that decision. Peace comes from within. Within an eternal connection to a higher
power. Certainly not from the world
itself. We’re an estranged messed up
people. I am so grateful for the
relationship I have with my Heavenly Father.
