Kim Watters here. Last summer, I found a wallet in the street. Being a Christian and I’d like to think, a very nice person, I tracked down the owner through a business card in his wallet and gave it back to him because that’s what we do. The early twenty-something was very grateful and tried to pay me. I didn’t accept. I figured he needed the eleven dollars in his wallet more than I did. I simply requested he pay it forward sometime and that in turn, I would have it paid forward for me.Fast forward to December 26th. Yep, you got it. The day after Christmas sales and the day my kids wanted to trade in all their gift cards and cash because they just didn’t get enough games for their Nintendos. My ten-year-old son carries his own wallet. Hey, I’m trying to teach responsibility. Well, you guessed it. He took it out in the toy section to count his loot and put it on a shelf when he picked up a toy.
When we got home—because my seven-year-old forgot her envelope in the rush to run out the door—my son asked where his wallet was. After a few heart-stopping moments, we jumped back in the car and raced back to Target. Along the way I said a prayer to God that the wallet would still be there--believe me, I knew the chances were slim on such a busy day—but I prayed anyway. I asked him to pray as well.
“No.” My son is having issues with his belief and somehow feels God hates him-especially now that his wallet is gone. “God hates me.”
“No He doesn’t, Honey. God has bigger things to worry about than picking on you.”
“Nope. He hates me.”
“Okay Lord, I need some help here. Really need some help.” I tried again. “God loves you. Sometimes he just has a unique way of showing it. There’s got to be a gift or message in this for you from Him.”
Mentally I’m trying to count how much money was in that wallet and knew it was going to cost me at least a hundred on top of what I’d already spent for Christmas, because I refused to let the lost wallet dash his Christmas spirit. Okay, I know there’s tough love and a responsibility factor, but there’s also being a parent and protecting our children from the harsh realities of life as long as we can. It’s a scary world out there and he’ll spend more time in it than in the dreamy state of childhood.
It turns out I didn’t need to worry. My prayers worked. Rushing up to the customer service counter while my kids scrounged around the toy section, I asked if a wallet had been found.
“A black child’s wallet with no ID?” The young lady asked?
“Yes. It’s got a few Target gift cards, a Borders card and some twenties inside.”
“Yes. Tiffany has it. Some man found it in the toy section and gave it to her.”
I almost cried. I’d like to hug the man who found the wallet and realized he held a child’s Christmas inside. It would have been so easy for him to pocket it and use it himself, except he understood the contents were more than just pieces of plastic and money and it didn't belong to him.
He truly was a messenger, and my son learned that God does love him. So whoever my good Samaritan was. Thank you and God Bless You.
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That is awesome! Thank you for sharing your story and it just proves that there a lot of good people out there!
ReplyDeleteSo glad for the happy ending, Kim. And tell your son Lyn says God does love him--end of discussion!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Writer. Yes, with all the bad news we hear about, it is good to know goodness still exists, and I believe it's all because of Him. Me, too, Lyn. And I'll tell him for you, though I should warn you, he always has to have the last word. I'll be discussing this with our pastor this month and have him help out, too.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kim, what a tense time. I'm so glad that man turned in the wallet. Tough love is so hard.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story, Kim! You know, my kids have to keep reminding me that there are more good people out there than bad! :) They'll love this story.
ReplyDeleteKim, it is tough when we watch our children endure hard times in life and faith. Glad things turned out well.
ReplyDeleteMust echo Writer, there are a lot of good people, angels, out there.
Prayers for you as a mom...I remember those days.
Peace, Julie
Isn't it nice when someone does a good deed. Gives me hope that the world is still turning in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Pamela, Missy, Julie, and Lenora. Yes, it is nice to know there are still good people and angels out there. Thanks for the prayers. :)
ReplyDeleteKim, thanks for sharing that wonderful story. It made me a little teary-eyed. :) It reminded me of the day I picked up my daughter and husband-to-be from the airport a few days before their wedding. About half way through the 30 minute drive from the airport to our house, my daughter realized she didn't have her purse. Everything she needed to get her marriage license was in that purse. As she said, "My life is in there."
ReplyDeleteWell, I turned the car around and drove 95 mph down I-95 back to the airport and prayed all the way that I wouldn't get stopped by the police for speeding and that we would find her purse. When we drove into the arrivals area, we spied the purse sitting on the bench where they had waited for me because their flight had arrived early.
God really does answer prayer even for mundane things like lost wallets and purses.
Wonderful story, Kim! Thank you for sharing this, and as some others have said---there are a lot of good people out there!! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Patti Jo
Very touching. Thanks for sharing Kim.
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