Thursday, March 22, 2012

Counterfeit Checks


image courtesy photobucket.com

In the early 1970’s when we were in the roofing business in Oakland, one day we received a package delivered by our UPS man.  He knew something was not on the up and up so he brought the parcel to us instead of to next door.

The package had our company name on the front, and also the name of our neighbor a known drug addict, old Freddie.

We had not ordered it, and were very surprised as we opened it. Inside was a check machine where you could adjust numbers that you wanted on a check and our name pretty as pink would also show up as the one writing the check; just pull the lever when ready!

We could only wondered how this would work for our neighbor to be able to forge checks that looked legitimate, and be able to cash them.

Naturally we never gave the machine to our neighbor and of course we did not tell him that we had it. He in turn never asked us about it either.

Our workmen, who had watched us open the box, probably got the word back to old Freddie, because we did not see him around for many weeks. Usually he was a regular visitor always wanting to borrow money which he always paid back – eventually.

Even a sinful drug addict can be ashamed of their behavior at times. They can also be honest at times, because when his welfare check arrived he always paid his drug bill first.

In another time, Freddie might have been good in business or a good worker, because that was pretty smart to try to counterfeit our checks. His efforts were misdirected and eventually Freddie died of an overdose.

Missing God’s plan for one’s life can be sad.  Unwise choices we make can create havoc tomorrow.

Joshua admonished in the Scriptures: "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Choose and make quality decisions today to avoid the counterfeit and reach out for reality!

This post has been linked to the sites below please visit them!!

Joy’s, Flaws and Nakedness
Michelle’s Thought Provoking Thursday




4 comments:

Denise said...

I see this kind of activity everyday in my office, and encounter some of the most heartbreaking stories. How sad the lives of so many fall into this act of deceit. I pray many times for their hearts to soften and open up to God!

Glad you were the ones to receive the package; God was protecting you! :)

Blessings and hugs Hazel,
Denise

Diane said...

Wow!!! Hallelujah! for how The LORD protected you guys!!! That is so awesome!

Great story to prove a great point!

Floyd said...

That's the sad truth of this life. Your neighbor had the truth right before his eyes and yet chose the bondage of the flesh. Satan uses our senses against us for sure, "the flesh is weak."
The gift of free will is a powerful example of God... we all get to make a choice...

caryjo said...

Have been involved with and/or related to so many addicts. The ability to do so much for so many is one of our enemy's strong hits. And the way the Lord protects them... and gives us wisdom and insight re: the situations ... can be pretty amazing. Your mailman was a gem and gave you the insight you needed. I love it when the Lord does that!