August 19
Honest
Scales
“The Lord hates it when people use scales to cheat others. But he is delighted when people use honest weights.”
Proverbs 11:1 (NIrV)
Sheila gripped the steering wheel, listening to the persistent rattle coming from under the hood. It had been getting worse over the past few weeks, and now she had no choice but to take it to the garage. She pulled into Doug’s Auto Repair, hoping the damage—and the cost—wouldn’t be too bad.
Doug, a burly man with oil-stained hands, greeted her with a practiced smile. “What seems to be the problem?”
“There’s a rattling noise when I drive. I’m not sure what it is,” Sheila admitted, feeling a little embarrassed. Cars weren’t her thing.
Doug nodded and waved her inside. “I’ll have a look. Take a seat.”
Sheila paced the waiting area, sipping the burnt coffee from the vending machine. She watched through the glass window as Doug leaned toward his colleague, a younger man in a navy jumpsuit. She couldn’t hear their words, but she saw Doug smirk as he gestured toward her car.
His voice carried over a moment later. “This lady knows nothing about cars. We can screw her over easy.”
Sheila’s stomach clenched. She glanced at her reflection in the window—just a woman trying to get her car fixed, trusting that people would do the right thing.
Fifteen minutes later, Doug came back wiping his hands on a rag. “Bad news,” he said, shaking his head. “Your suspension is shot, and the engine’s got a leak. We’re looking at a full overhaul—$2,300, at least.”
Sheila felt her chest tighten. “I— I can’t afford that. Are you sure?”
Doug shrugged. “I can’t let you drive out of here with a car in that condition.”
Before she could respond, the younger mechanic, Mike, stepped forward. “Hold on,” he said, his voice firm. “I checked the car myself. It’s just a loose heat shield. A simple fix—twenty minutes, no charge.”
Doug shot him a glare, but Mike didn’t back down. “We don’t rip people off, Doug. Not on my watch.”
Sheila exhaled, relief washing over her. She looked at Mike, her eyes grateful. “Thank you,” she said softly.
As Mike grabbed his tools, Sheila sat back down, her heart still racing. She had come in worried about her car, but she was leaving with something much deeper—a reminder that honesty still mattered.
Doug turned away, grumbling under his breath, while Mike tightened the bolts under the hood. The Lord sees everything, Sheila thought. And today, He made sure the scales were balanced.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for seeing all things, for being a God of truth and justice.
Help me to act with honesty in all I do, even when it’s difficult.
Protect me from those who would take advantage, and give me courage to stand for what is right, just like Mike did today.
Let my life reflect Your goodness and integrity.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
