I spotted the bill on the carpeted hospital hallway as I rounded the corner from the rehab unit where I’d been sitting with a loved one.
Folded twice, it looked like mine.
Instinctively, I reached into my left pocket and felt the few ones and fives I carried rather than fidget with a purse at the hospital café.
Earlier that morning, I’d pulled out a $5 bill for the drive-through carwash. But the line was too long, so I stuck the money back in my pocket. Had I later tugged it out with a restless hand?
What if the $5 belonged to someone else who walked this hall as often as I? Someone who needed it more. What if finding it was a test—by God or security cameras?
Part of me felt it would be poor stewardship of my money to leave it there.
And part of me felt like a thief as I picked up the bill and shoved it in with my double-folded wad on my way to the elevator. Surely God would forgive me if it wasn’t mine.
An hour later as I pulled out of the Walmart store parking lot, I waited for traffic at the main exit where a young man stood holding a cardboard sign: “Iraqi war veteran. Anything will help.”
I didn’t have to fumble with my purse and wallet because the $5 bill slipped easily from my pocket. I rolled down the passenger window and held it out.
“Thank you,” he said. “God bless you.”
Then I turned left onto the road for home.
It didn’t matter if the man was pulling a fast one on soft-hearted shoppers.
It didn’t matter if the man went home to a nice apartment and a girlfriend with a job.
It didn’t matter what he spent the money on. That was between him and God in the same way my act was between God and me.
What mattered was that the $5 bill on the hospital floor made its way to his hand.
“Give and it shall be given to you …” –Jesus
Amen. If we do what God calls us to do, it doesn’t matter what happens after. That is for God to deal with. Great story!
Thanks, Linda. God has things going on that we’ll never know about.
This is so true, all we need to do is hear, trust and act on God’s loving guidance each day, what joy one feels, when following the Lord God, that connection is so powerful we can face each trial, just as long as we have the Lord right there with us.
Yes, my friend. He is closer than we think.
Thanks, Devalyn. Good way to start the morning. Have a blessed day.
You, too, Marjorie.
What you did was perfect. I hope and pray things are going okay for you. Been thinking about you.
Thanks, Karen. Appreciate it!
God is always watching!
Amen, David!
Such a great story, Davalynn. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Tom