It was tomato season in the valley, and the little grocery store's vegetable stand was well supplied. Up on the display case were small boxes of red-ripe beauties, priced to sell quickly, for they were just right for immediate eating, and would not keep. Down on the floor were half-bushel baskets, higher priced, just as nice but not so ripe.The beautiful little baskets were selling well, and business was brisk in the store when she came in -- a big, commanding figure of a woman with the bearing of the Queen Mary moving out to sea. Looking neither to the right nor the left until she reached the tomato counter, she examined the two baskets critically. Then she strode over to the clerk.
"Young woman," she ordered, "empty that small basket and refill it with tomatoes from the large basket. I prefer to have tomatoes that aren't quite so ripe."
The girl shook her head. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I can't do that. I'll be glad to sell you the small basket, the large, or both, but I can't mix them."
The large woman drew herself up to her full height, and in a tone that was meant to quell the boldest clerk, she thundered, "Young woman, do you know who I am?"
"No, I don't," replied the girl, quietly, "but I have my instructions and I must abide by them."
"Young lady, I am Mrs. MacDowell," naming a well-known family of the area, "and I do not like your attitude! Do as I request at once, or I'll report you to the manager!" Her voice stamped its foot with each syllable.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. MacDowell. I cannot do as you ask. But if you want to talk to the manager, I'll be glad to take you to him." And very calmly and serenely the young clerk moved to the back of the store, followed by the irate customer whose arrogant manner was visibly collapsing with every step.
Why was this ordinarily timid clerk willing to clash with a bullying customer? Because she knew the rules of her company and was keeping them. She had no fear. She was doing right and she knew it.
The Bible calls the commandments of God the "law of liberty." Those who keep that law are free from fear. They are at liberty because they know the right and are doing it. Because they are keeping the law, they are free from the effects of disobedience to it.
