Many years ago, I traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in a national competition. At the beginning of the week, the contestants and their families enjoyed a fun day at Universal Studios. I had made four new friends during orientation, and we happily ventured off to the park. We left our moms at the front of the park, and the five of us explored the property.
At the back of the park, there was a fun zone which included several carnival-type games. One girl in the group exclaimed, “Oh look! Let’s go play this game!” She eagerly sat down at a water gun game and paid the theme park employee a dollar to play. All the girls joyfully sat down and also agreed to play the game. (Side note, ever since I was a small child, I have been very frugal with my money. I do not spend money on frivolous actitives or things. I prefer to save every penny and feel rich than to spend money and feel poor.) I declined to play the first game. I watched as the girls screamed with laughter as they played the game. When the competition ended, the winner received a small orange and black tiger. Feeling left out, I agreed to play the next game with the girls.
We played many times, and I ended up spending five precious dollars. During one of the games, I won a small plush tiger. I was happy I won, but I also felt very guilty. How did I get pressured into spending five dollars to win a stuffed animal? I am twelve years old. I am too old for this type of activity and this toy! For the rest of the day, the five of us went on numerous amusement rides. When the sun set, we met our moms and went back to our hotel.
At the end of the week, I was outside one of the ballrooms where the competition was being held. There was a five year old girl screaming and crying. My heart broke, and I asked the girl what was wrong. The little girl’s mom replied, “She won a stuffed animal at Universal Studios, and now she lost it. We can’t find it anywhere. She hasn’t stopped crying. I don’t know what to do.” I asked the mom if the stuffed animal was a small orange and black tiger. “Yes,” replied the mom. “She won it playing a water gun arcade game.” I happily chirped up. “Oh, I won one of those too! I have it in my room upstairs. I will go get it for your daughter. Wait here. I will be right back.”
I raced through the conference center and to the hotel lobby. I took an elevator up to my floor. I quickly ran to my room, grabbed the tiger off my bed and raced back downstairs. Soon, I arrived at the conference center. The woman and her daughter were still there. I held out my tiger to the little girl and said, “Here you go. Here is your tiger.” The small child immediately grabbed the toy and hugged it tight against her chest. She instantly stopped crying and started playing with the stuffed animal.
The mom looked at me in amazement. She didn’t know what to say or do. I told the mom, “It was my pleasure. I hope she enjoys the toy. I hope this stops her tears.” I then walked away and felt a HUGE relief. I had felt so guilty all week for needlessly spending five dollars on a carnival game. But now, I was smiling. I was able to give the tiger, which was causing me so much grief, to a a very upset little girl. Now she was cheerfully playing with the toy, her mom was free from her anxiety, and I was happy again. Perhaps spending the five dollars was not a waste after all. How wonderfully God works all things for good.
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