I’ve been cleaning out some clutter this weekend. I started with my guest room closet, which was appalling, and ended with my kitchen desk drawers, which were forever getting hung on things too large to have been put there in the first place.
Among the errant packing tape and the misplaced screwdrivers, I found this:
You may be wondering why in the world I not only would’ve kept a business card with change taped to it, but why I would even have it in the first place! Well, let me tell you.
A couple of years ago, I did some proofing for a book publisher in Iowa. I had finished working on a manuscript and sent my time-sheet, along with some other documentation, in for payment via US Postal Service, as they required that over electronic submission. Apparently, I put too much postage on the envelope – 40 cents worth, to be exact. About two weeks later, I received a letter telling me as much, and the enclosure of this business card covered in change.
I marked out the gal’s name, as I have no idea if she still works there and I don’t have her permission to put it out to the masses. Regardless of her name, however, it speaks volumes about her character. I kept it all that time ago, because I wanted to show it to my girls as an example of integrity and honesty. I wanted them to see that in this dog-eat-dog, take-what-you-can-get world, there are still people out there living by a higher standard of ethics, a moral code that puts other people first, and where service still means something. I wanted them to know that there are still people out there that would take time to type out a letter, tape change to a business card and spend money for a stamp, just to send me back the amount that it cost to cover it.
In the midst of the cynicism in which we live, the daily reports of cheating, embezzlement and fraud, I send you a little encouragement and faith restoration today. There are still honest, hardworking people in our world with integrity, ethics and character. Hopefully, we all claim to be one of them, but MORE, I hope we are all doing these little “extra mile” things to show it.
Thank you for sharing! I love stories like this. Its a great reminder of how we should be living daily and wonderful proof that there still are honest and morale people out there. Have a great Monday! 🙂
What a great story. I’m surprised the postal system even notified her of the overage. I didn’t realize they did that. Many times when I mail personal packages from work, I use the weighing machine and then just put the closest amount in stamps that I have. I’ve wasted lots of money that way but I figure it’s worth the time and gas to drive to have the post office do the right amount. My point being I just didn’t realize the P.O. notified of overages. I sure know they do for shortages.
Great story for your kids for sure…well all of us. Not only to be honest but to go above and beyond just to be honest. That’s character for sure.
Don’t you just love catching people in the act of doing something right? What a great story!
Now that was a rich deed, indeed! Talk about integrity and honesty.
Oh how we need more of that in our world, in our community, in our churches, in our homes, and inside of (me) us.
Definitely refreshing in this day and age….I think it’s sweet that you’ve kept it as a reminder as well!
What a great example of taking the road less traveled…doing the right thing. Great story!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me! It means so much.
I LOVE that! How great that you kept it for such a reminder of character, integrity and common courtesy.
Going out of our way to do the right thing is always a short walk regardless of the distance.
Jill
What a neat story! Thank you for sharing! It is nice to know that in today’s world that there are still good, decent people out there. Thanks for the reminder!
Melinda:
Last night, I saw the movie Fireproof at our church. The main character told someone that another co-worker was “the real deal”. It sounds like this woman was,also.
Makes me even happier to be a lifelong Iowan! 😉
That is a very touching story.
Thank you for sharing!
What a wonderful story! And how sad that we find it shocking when someone does something good and right, but we accept bad behavior as status quo
I LOVE this story! That is a great visual.
Now…I’m under convictiont to get a few of my junk drawers clean up. 🙂
I think that is so cool! And I loved that you kept it as a reminder. I think I would have done the same.
I love that story Melinda! It brings to mind for me, something that happened a few months ago. We went to eat at Chipotle after church (as we do every Saturday night) and on the ground at the register was a quarter. The boys got so excited! I didn’t make them put it in the tip jar, but I suggested that they do that instead of keeping it b/c it wasn’t theirs to begin with. Without any complaining, they were excited to put it in the jar! Almost every Saturday night since, they are on the ground looking for change to put in the tip jar. This past Saturday they found a dime–and right into the jar it went. I’m hoping their love for giving and doing what is right continues past this ‘age of innocence’ that they’re at now. Somehow, with stories like this one you shared with us, encouraging us to model excellent character, I think it will!
I love that story
What a precious story and a wonderful “memory stone”. I too have kept items like this that are evidence of character and integrity.
At a time when ‘bad news’ seems rampant, thanks for this encouragement today,
Joy
I love it. It truly IS an encouragement! Thank you for sharing!
this made me smile … really big!