Do This, in Pursuit of Your Own Happiness

I chose the second lane in the bank drive-through and sent the tube with my paperwork. When the bank lady returned the tube, I asked her if I could borrow the pen and return it the next time I came to the bank. (I was on my way to a wedding shower and needed to write in the card.)

I heard a guffaw (do people still say that?) from the car next to me. When I looked over, the guy in the passenger seat had heard my request through his open window. He looked at me and said, “Yeah, like that’s gonna happen.”

I might have given him stink eye.

A few days later I returned the pen, just as I had promised. I wanted that man to be there, so he could see that I had really meant what I said. But I guess only Jesus and I knew that I did the right thing.

Don’t you think opportunities to be dishonest march by us all day long? Like when you want to make just one personal copy on the work copy machine, and who would even know? If it’s a matter of 5 cents, does it matter?

In Psalm 106:3, we read:

Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.

So yes, 5 cents matters. Returning a borrowed pen matters. When we choose always to do what is right, the reward is personal happiness.

Happiness is connected to a clear conscience.

When was the last time you were honest in a seemingly insignificant circumstance?