Integrity

Our boys seem to think it is okay to do wrong in order to do right. We have been working with them to tell the truth and do what is right regardless of the consequences. 

I learned this difficult lesson today. I had placed an order for some products I was needing, and the box arrived yesterday evening. My oldest child received the package from the UPS man and asked if we could open it. So with the kids watching I opened the box and began removing the items. To my surprise there were four extra items that I had not ordered and had not paid for  The total value of these items came to $698. The boys asked me what I was going to do, but I didn't have an immediate answer for them.

If I kept the products, no one would know, and I would save money as I could so use them. I battled with this thought all evening. I knew being honest was the right thing to do. I knew I should return all the additional products that I had not paid for. I knew I should call Customer Service immediately and tell them what had happened, but I didn't want to. Finally before going to bed, I determined to call company in the morning and tell them the truth.

I got up this morning and made the call. The Representative was very nice, and after I explained what had happened she placed me on hold and went to talk to her supervisor. When she got back on she said that this was the company's error, the company has no written record of what happened, and the supervisor said I could keep all the extra products. Apparently if I sent them back, the company would just have to destroy them.

Needless to say I was thrilled, but I learned first hand the importance of telling the truth and being honest. As I use these products, my conscious is clear, and my children and husband know I did the right thing even though I really didn't want to.

I can't wait for my children to get out of school, so I can share this with them. God allows these situations in our life so we can grow. I am so thankful I made the right decision regardless of the outcome.