WWJD and WDYD? Part I

"Be very careful, then, how you live--no as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

You've seen them, I've seen them--the bumper stickers, bracelets and signs everywhere all asking the question:

"WWJD" or "What would Jesus do?"

I have another question to pose to you: After you pondered "What would JESUS do?" just "What did YOU do?" (WDYD) Um, GULP... I am not proud to state that the answer to that question has not always been what Jesus would have done.

I'll outline a scenario of a situation that happened to me two weeks ago. I'd love it if you would respond and tell me what you would have done and/or what you think I should have done in this situation. I'll leave this poll up only for a little while before post with my response with what I actually did. Even if I have already posted my answer on the WWJD Part II post, you can still leave your comment on WWJD Part I. Thanks!

Okay here's what happened:

Me and a friend who works in another department on my job were talking about the book, "The Purpose Driven Life." She was really excited about getting started reading the book, but could not manage get it at that time. I offered to pick up a copy for her. I knew that the book sold anywhere between $9.99 and $21.99 depending on where you bought it. She stated that she could not afford to pay more than $10.00 for the book. Of course I wanted to bless her with the book, but she insisted on paying me back. So we made a deal--if the book cost anything over $10.00 I would cover it, and she could take her time paying me back.

I went to Sam's Club twice to get the book; the first I did not have my card, (and the customer service line was waaay too long) and the 2nd time I went they were closed. (Sigh!) So on the 3rd day, I ended up going to Walmart to buy the book before I went to work. Why is it that I cannot seem to walk into Walmart and come out with just one thing! (sigh!) I placed my six items on the counter, and paid the cashier and left.

On my lunch break I inscribed the book for my friend, and put the receipt inside the cover. The book was selling for 12.99, but according to our deal, she only had to give me $10.00 when it was manageable for her to do so. She did not know this, but in my mind if she never paid me back, it was ok, I wanted to bless her, but her pride would not let her accept it.

I presented her with the book, and pulled out the receipt to show her the cost of the book, and lo and behold, I looked and checked the date on the receipt, I double checked the receipt, and guess what? I could not believe it! It was the right receipt, but the book was not on it! My friend smiled sweetly, and said "Oh well, it looks like the book is free! Thank you." She turned curtly on her heels and walked off with the book underarm leaving me sitting there with my mouth open and dumbfounded on several counts. The breeze from her exit could have knocked me over!

Okay so now I'm thinking, "Lord is the book really free? Was it a gift?" Should I forget about it and move on? Okay, Letitia what would Jesus do in this situation? I dunno. On one hand I was worried if I let the situation drop that I'd ruin my witness in front of this new babe in Christ. One the other hand she's got the book, so it's hers. This dilemma is mine. If I returned to Walmart, and they accepted my payment, do I mention it to my friend or assume the total costs myself? After all, I wanted to bless her with the book initally. Or should I make her hold up her end of the bargain too?

I decided to pray about it and then sleep on it to see how I was being led. And this is where you come in. What do you think Jesus would do? What would you do? Are your two answers different? Please be honest. Are your two answers different?

I'll conclude this story with what I actually did in my next post- WWJD- Part II.

• To post your comment click on "Comments"
• then click on "Post a comment,"
• and in the box entitled "Leave your comment" type in your answer.
• You can sign your own name, make up a name, or not sign a name at all...whatever makes you most comfortable.
• Where it says "Choose an identity," click on "anonymous"
• and skip down to "login and publish."
• Voila! you're done!

Thanks so much! I am very curious to see what you would have done.

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Here are the comments with my name removed:

9 Comments:

At Friday, July 29, 2005 7:51:00 AM, said...

Hi, L,

In the past I think I would have kept the book and received it as a blessing. Now, I think I would go back to the store and let them tell me that they were not going to charge me. If they charged me, I'd pay for it, and expect my friend to honor her part too as part of her growing up process in Christ.(Honesty)

WWJD? Hmmm, Would He have had to go to a store to buy a book in the first place? ;-)

Thanks for the interactive poll!
Pam

At Friday, July 29, 2005 3:16:00 PM, So I Go said...

ooh boy, that's a tough one.

I get a heavy conscience when I find out that I didn't pay for something.. I'd probably return to Wal Mart and tell the customer service dept. that I had purchased a book for a friend, but when looking at the receipt, it didn't ring up.. and so.. I'd ask to pay for it.

As it relates to your friend, I probably wouldn't say another thing. If she some day gives you the $2.99 extra, so be it.

Moving on to what Jesus would do? Probably something I'd least expect..

At Friday, July 29, 2005 4:26:00 PM, said...

Hi L,

Honestly, I would probably not go back to Walmart because you have already given the book to your co-worker, and I would probably look at it as an "unexpected gift" :)...it would be different if I had not gone home or if I caught the mistake earlier or if it was something large and more expensive...eventhough it should not matter and the "right" thing to do or what Jesus would probably do was return to the store with the book and money to pay....I dont know this is a tough one because on one hand I might have seen it as a blessing that I did not have to pay for it...is that wrong to think???? But on the other hand, I know that I should have paid for it, even though inside I know I did not steal the book or not pay unintentionally.

-another co-worker who did not get a "free" book!!!

At Friday, July 29, 2005 5:55:00 PM, Diane said...

WWJD: I believe that Jesus would go back to Walmart and show the receipt to the customer service rep and pay for the book. It would be a free gift to the lady at work and Jesus would not say anything to her; He would forgive her.

WDYD: I would be Christ-like and do the same thing, and never mention the book to the lady at work again....

Diane

At Sunday, July 31, 2005 7:01:00 PM, Anonymous said...

I HATE WWJD. It is so irrelevant. What Jesus DID was depend on the Father. When it was complete, Jesus said, "It is finished" end of story. Anyway, the answer to the WWJD question is, RELY ON THE FATHER.
What would I do? Take the receipt to Wal-mart and tell them the story. What will be will be. I would not mention it again to the co-worker.
LUCY

At Monday, August 01, 2005 10:31:00 AM, said...

WWJD? The word of God has given us principles for daily living, we do'not have to guess or speculate about "what would Jesus do" His parables have taught us, His preaching has taught us, Hid dying at Calvary for our sins have showed us the way. Because of my changed life I would go back to Walmart pay for the book if they would accept it. Then give the book as a gift to the young lady. I would not mention to her the incident at Walmart, L, that lesson is for you only!"WSLD"

Love you,
Pastor Dave

At Monday, August 01, 2005 5:15:00 PM, Anonymous said...

Hmmmm. What would I do? Go back to Wal-Mart and see if they'd let me pay for it.

What would Jesus do? Hmmmm. Whatever the "right" thing was--and I think that would be returning to Wal-Mart. I do not believe He would say anything to the lady at work.

~Sandy

At Tuesday, August 02, 2005 5:04:00 PM, Roz said...

Hi L,...I would have gone back to Walmart to point out the mistake and pay for the book. I would not meantion it to my co-worker unless she asked. If she did ask, I would have told her that I did go back and pay for the book, and I believe things happened the way that they did because GOD wanted her to have it and that she should accept it as a gift without guilt or any feeling of obligation to me.

At Tuesday, August 30, 2005 12:20:00 AM, l.alden lane said...

I don't believe we can really know what Jesus would do. We only know to some degree what he did when he was here on earth. Nothing wrong with theorizing I guess. I think Jesus would take the book back and exchange it for a copy of the King James bible, have a Coke from the Wal-grill and hang out in the garden section praying. Is that a pretty good theory? :-)

As for me I wouldn't get the book at Walmart in the first place. eBay baby! Maybe someday I will get that book........gee if only I had a friend who would get it for me!

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P.S. Here is WWJD Part II.

My Soul Looks Back and Wonders How I Got Over...

It feels great to be back!

Are any of you old enough, or seasoned enough in the "black church experience" to remember this song? "My Soul Looks Back and Wonders How I Got Over"?

Clara Ward and the Ward Singers, Mahalia Jackson and even the more contemporary Aretha Franklin, all sang and recorded this song. Mahalia even sang it at Martin Luther King's funeral.

I am getting off of my opening subject here that I intended to write about, but isn't it funny how when you hear music, memories of times past come rushing back? I can remember my parents playing old spirituals on the record player by the Drinkard Singers, Aretha Franklin, Clara Ward and the Ward Singers, and the Caravans.

When I hear those old songs now, I still can remember where I was in the house when I heard the sounds of the choirs and their music wafting through the rooms. I can remember how the music made me feel at that time. I can even remember some of the album covers. But my feelings that are now associated with the music, of course are completely different. I am creating new memories for the old music!

I remember during my preteen and teen years, that during the week days in the summer and on most weekends we listened to Mary C. on (I think it was) WWIN or WEBB and Pauline Wells Lewis on WSID radio stations. Those lady deejays are no longer with us, but their legacy lives on in my memory...sweet memories of the spiritual music that they played daily. I would sit by the radio with a tape recorder trying to catch songs that I really liked. Man, I wish I had that kind of time on my hands now!

When I hear the music that my parents played in the house while I was growing up, it always strikes this weird kind of nostalgia feeling inside...I can't explain it, but it is like the past is right in front of me. The feelings, the colors, the smells, the emotions, the times all associated with that partucular song are right there for the touching. ...and they are all good memories. I hope one day my kids will look back on the music we played in the house while they are growing up, and smile with the memories.

On to what I wanted to write about as my opening topic: "My soul looks back and wonders how I got over!"

This past week has been a bear at work, and I was trying to catch my breath (before I started my blog again) from my summer class finally ending! Yeaaah! Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the class, and learned a tremendous amount of material, and even gained a new potential friend in the process, I am glad that it is OVER! Halleluyah! What a relief! Man, O man! Yup, I got an "A+" in the class, but an "A" on my transcript. This college does not award plusses (+). Bummer. But after all of that work still, my soul looks back and wonders how I got over....It could have been only by the grace of God. Amen.

Ok to catch up:
I got my car back, and it seems to be in fine working order. I have a lifetime warranty on the repair to the parts that were replaced. Cool. But I miss that Infinity G-35. It was awesome! and the pickup! Whew! Did I get spoiled or what? I had to remind myself that my own car is not so shabby. Continue to be glad and thankful for what you do have girl! You are blessed!

Many of you have gotten antsy about me not posting regularly through the duration of my class. Hey, I warned you and I did the best that I could do considering. Many things happened that I wanted to write about but did not have the time to do so at the time...and that even hurt me a little!

I am on vacation this week. I have to admit it is very well deserved. I have worked hard for a long time without a break. Man, I could very well sit in one spot and not move very far from it all week. Naw, just joking! Hee Hee.

It's great to be back. Let me hear from ya! Love ya all!

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