Busted at the Krispy Kreme

 

My son and I were at the Krispy Kreme drive-through, coupon in hand. We were moments away from warm, frosted doughnuts, but something was askew with the coupon I was trying to use. I wanted chocolate frosted but the coupon was for glazed. I put up quite a fuss to get my discount and my snarky persistence paid off with a box of chocolate frosted goodness.

Pulling away victorious, doughnuts in hand, my boy looked at me and said, Mom, you were really mean to that lady.”

Ugh! Caught! As I quickly did a mental rewind, I knew he was right.

Buddy, I sure was. Will you forgive me for talking to her like that?”

Sure, Mom. Can I have a doughnut?”

Heavenly pressure

As he ate his circle of deliciousness, I silently asked God to forgive me for modeling behavior I would never tolerate from the young man sitting next to me. I thought that was done, but the Holy Spirit laid his hand on my heart, prompting me to return and apologize to the girl at Krispy Kreme.

With the store already disappearing in my rearview mirror and using the traffic zipping by at breakneck speeds, I justified why I didn’t need to go back.

The Holy Spirit wasnt having any of it.

For three days, he kept the pressure on until I couldnt stand it anymore.

Surrender

Back at Krispy Kreme, I asked for Rose. (Of course, I could remember her name.) She came from her position at the drive-through window to greet me at the counter.

Hi,” I said as friendly as I could. You waited on me at the drive-through three days ago, and I was very rude to you. I came to say I was sorry.”

She looked at me for a second, tilted her head and said, I dont remember you.”

Slightly taken aback, but committed to making amends, I stammered, Well, I remember you, and I have come back to apologize.”

Ooooo-kay, is that all you need from me?” she said.

Now I felt really awkward.

Well, yes, I am sorry. I shouldnt have talked to you like that. Will you forgive me?”

Fine. It’s not a big deal.”

Out of my mouth pops, It is a big deal! My God loves you too much to let me talk to you that way.

Even as it came out of my mouth, I thought, That’s a strange thing to say to her.

 

Unexpected outcome

I would love to tell you that God broke through, and she cried, and I cried, and she surrendered her life to Jesus, but that isnt what happened.

She looked at me as if I was an alien, then said with an attitude of indifference, Whatever!”

Then she turned on her heel and went back to her position at the window, leaving me standing there stunned.

What in the world? God, why would you drag me back here to be humiliated and embarrassed if you werent going to use this for your glory?

 

God’s best for me

But then I realized my apologizing wasnt necessarily about Rose or her salvation. While I hopefully planted a seed on her journey of faith, the action was about me learning to keep a clean slate with God. And because we represent him to others: We are therefore Christs ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

 

When the Holy Spirit nudges you to make things right, and you do, and you dont get the result you expect, take heart. Youre getting a better result. A result that is making you more like Jesus.

So the next time you feel the Holy Spirit nudge you, dont wait. Humble yourself and be obedient. Youll become a better disciple and a really good ambassador.

 

When was the last time God called you to go or do or say something to keep a clean slate with him?

 

Verse for today: Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” —Matthew 16:24

 

Prayer: Father, give me the courage to do what you ask of me for my own good and your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

6 Comments

  1. Judy Morrell on September 11, 2022 at 8:47 am

    Good morning Robyn,
    I look forward to your emails on Sunday mornings. They are always inspiring and give me a jumpstart on my day. This is the first time I have sent a comment but have been reading your messages for 2 years. It has been 2 years since you have been in our town. THANK YOU for not deleting me from your list. Your messages always speak to me.

    • Robyn Dykstra on September 12, 2022 at 6:44 am

      I’m so encouraged to read this, Judy. Thank you for posting. Made my day.

  2. Yvonne Ortega on September 11, 2022 at 10:33 am

    I love your Sunday morning emails, Robyn Dystra. I’ve been in that situation where God tells me to go back and apologize or straighten ups a situation. I’ve had warm fuzzy reactions and the “whatever” type, but obedience was the issue not their reaction.

    • Robyn Dykstra on September 12, 2022 at 6:44 am

      So true, Yvonne.

  3. Janet M Sarbaugh on September 11, 2022 at 9:58 pm

    Love this story and thanks for your obedience and for sharing with us! Not easy but wow, we can feel so much better
    when we obey the Lord….Word of Life FL…loved you being here!!! Jan

    • Robyn Dykstra on September 12, 2022 at 6:43 am

      We sure do. As awkward and embarrassing as this situation was, the relief from obeying Holy Spirit was worth it.

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