SHOPPING FOR SISTER

A young girl, who looked to be around 12 years old, was walking downtown on a bright sunny Saturday. She stopped when she noticed something gold shining in the window of a jewelry store. It was a beautiful gold bracelet with a prism of light beaming down on the reflection in the glass window.

The girl continued to admire the bracelet. She noticed its sleek styling, the dainty twist of gold, and the simplicity of its design. And, there was something about the multi-colored light beams that spoke to her and urged her to enter the shop.

The bell on the door jingled, and the shopkeeper looked up. "May I help you?" He asked.

"How much is the gold bracelet you have in the window?"

The shopkeeper didn't answer right away. Instead, he asked the young girl, "Are you looking to buy the bracelet for yourself, or is it a gift?"

"It would be a gift for my sister's birthday. She's more than just my sister; she's like a mother to me. Our mother died four years ago, and she takes excellent care of me."

At that moment, with the sunlight flooding the store, the shopkeeper turned his gaze downward to the jewelry case of diamonds and gold brilliantly lit with rainbows of light around each precious stone. Something in the light spoke to him and prompted him to ask, "How much money do you have to spend?"

The young girl took out a zippered case from her backpack and emptied the contents on the case. She slowly counted out her dollar bills. "I have $18.00," she said proudly.

"Amazing!" He replied with excitement. "That's exactly the amount of the gold bracelet."

He went to get the bracelet out of the window and placed it gently on the back velvet jeweler's pad. He had never before seen a piece of jewelry take on a radiance like the gold bracelet did on that particular Saturday.

The transaction was complete, and the young girl walked happily out of the jewelry store with the precious bracelet.

A few days later, a young lady entered the jewelry store and said to the shopkeeper, "I'm here to return this bracelet. My sister must have taken it from your shop without paying for it."

"What do you mean?" the man asked.

"My little sister came home with this gold bracelet from your store, and she did not have the means to pay for it. I'm unsure if she intends to make payments or took the bracelet without your knowledge. I apologize on her behalf."

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Your sister did not steal the bracelet, and she did not buy it on credit. It's paid in full."

The young lady replied, "Surely you are mistaken. This is an expensive bracelet. See the fine patina. Why, the light dances on every curve, whichever way you look at it!"

"Yes, you are right. It is a pricey piece of jewelry. And your sister paid for it in full, with a full heart, and with the blessing of God's light. Wear it in good health, with happiness and blessings for you and your sister."

When your heart is full, bursting with love and gratitude, God shines His light upon you.