The annoying song announcing a new text was playing early in the morning. I opened the text and to my surprise, there was a message from the insurance company saying they were sending a check for the completion of our reconstruction work after our basement flooded last Thanksgiving. Yes, I said last Thanksgiving!! What a journey it’s been for nine long months but now it was finally over! Closure.
But as I looked at the amount, there was something wrong! It was twice as much as we should receive. The reconstruction had been going on for so long that different people were now overseeing the construction, and the original insurance adjuster was long gone. Our claim was handed off to at least four other people.
Unless we pointed out the error, our claim would be closed. Forever. Filed away.
But we knew the error. God knew the error. And we knew what we needed to do.
So hubby contacted the construction company’s office and told them they needed to send the insurance company the correct final amount.
I contacted the most recent insurance claims resolution specialist I’d been working with and told her the check was not the correct amount.
Then I added,
“I’m sure you don’t receive many emails saying you paid us too much!” And signed it “Appreciate your help! Have a blessed rest of the day.”
She emailed back,
“I really appreciate your honesty! Like you mentioned, we never get emails advising we have overpaid.” And she signed, “Have a blessed day as well.”
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We never know whose life our integrity and honesty is going to touch and influence. I’m sure she receives many emails and phone calls from angry disgruntled clients. And who hasn’t complained about insurance companies and the cost of insurance.
But what really impressed me the most was her telling me to also have a blessed day. In today’s politically correct environment, we might think we have to avoid a “spiritual” greeting and opt for a vanilla generic “Have a nice day.” What do we really mean when we say “nice”? It’s an overused cliché definitely better than saying nothing but a missed opportunity to say something meaningful. I’ve noticed that when I offer a blessing, people stop and take notice.
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As women of integrity, we stay true to who we are in Christ and Christ in us, regardless of the circumstances. I’m not saying we lead out with the Gospel, but that we live out the Gospel.
For example, you’re with a group of people you’ve just met and you sense by their conversation and actions that they’re not believers. What do you do now? Try to fit in and not make too many waves, or act the same as you would if you were with a group of fellow believers? We’ve all been there sending up a silent prayer asking God, “Help!”
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In today’s culture, it takes courage to stand up for our faith and live with integrity. The world doesn’t reward or encourage moral standards. You stand out in a crowd when you do what’s right instead of compromising or taking the easy way out. This is nothing new. Paul certainly would have had an easier life if he backed down every time someone challenged him for being a believer. But the message the Apostle Paul gave to the church at Corinth is still a source of encouragement for Christians to bravely and boldly live with integrity today: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13).
I looked up the definition of integrity and here’s what I found: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness; virtue; character; incorruptibility; goodness. It saddens me to think how hard it is for Christians today to live with integrity without being confronted and bullied in schools, college campuses, sports, jobs, social media, in business, and even with some friends and family. It’s not easy, but it is courageous.
Living with integrity is not popular, but it is possible. It’s not the world’s way, but it is God’s way! And that’s all that matters to us, right!
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As we watch civil law go counter to God’s laws and rampant tolerance for everything except Christianity, we’re under intense pressure to comply. God says, “Stand firm in the faith” and don’t crumble. Biblical courage means obeying God’s laws and not condoning or compromising on anything that Scripture opposes.
Yes, it’s uncomfortable and difficult, but as long as we stay tethered to God, biblical truths, and each other, He will provide us the strength we need to go against the worldly secular culture when it opposes our faith. Be strong. Be courageous. Be brave. Be a woman of integrity!
You can preorder Everyday Brave and receive it as soon as it releases! I’m excited about this book, can you tell?!
Here is an interview I gave on At The Library, where I talk about what inspired me to write this book and answer a number of questions about it. If you’ve never heard my voice, it might be fun to listen so you’ll know what I sound like when you read my blogs and books!
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Hi Janet, Today’s blog reminded me of a surprise God sent my way. I was the “new gal” in our water arobics class and felt very uncomfortable around the off color jokes and griping about their ex’s or husbands. I tried to change the conversation by sharing kind things my husband and friends did or said. I also told a few jokes that I thought were funny. They didn’t get my hints and I came to the place that I thought I might quit going but felt strongly I should stay; So during a prayer time I asked the Lord to show me a workable way to change things. I really thought He would show me something in His Word so I tried to stay alert to every thing I read or heard. Still no answer. Then one day I was leaving the pool early and the rest of the class was still there when a friend I had not seen in months rushed in and in a loud voice said “Carolyn, I haven’t seen you in so long. Are you still going to the Stonecroft Christian Ministry dinner every month.” I answered, “Oh.yes. I love that group and I go every month.” I went on out. The next class I noticed the swearing was gone and my same pool buddies were talking about their kids and the funny things they did or said. I never saw the gal with the loud voice again. It took me a few classes to realize that God had done what I couldn’t. After that I took several of those ladies to the Stonecroft dinner where they always hear the gospel presented.
Carolyn, you have so many God-stories to tell like the one you shared in Everyday Brave! You really should write a book yourself. I love the way God answered your prayers in this situation and then allowed you to use it for His Glory!