There I was, about to enter the local supermarket when I noticed some mangoes on display nearby. I reached for a roll of plastic bags, tore one off and opened it, ready to put my mango in. Just then, a little lady much older than I am (!) asked me if I would mind passing her a bag, so I quickly handed her my own. A few moments later, this same little lady came up and handed me a tiny, square piece of cardboard, with something green pressed onto it and covered in clear plastic.
‘It’s a real, four-leaf clover!’ she explained. ‘I want you to have it because you were so kind to me. I gave one to my granddaughter when she was doing an exam and she got 97%!’
Not wanting to disappoint her, I joked that I might have to sit for another exam. But later, I wished I could have thought of something a little more helpful to say.
The next day, I was back in that same supermarket. My husband had enjoyed his mango so much, I decided to buy a couple more. This time, the checkout person had trouble scanning some of my purchases and had to repeat the process. I paid my bill and headed off, but something made me look closely at my docket. Sure enough, I had not been charged for my two mangoes.
What a moral dilemma! At first, I thought, ‘It was her mistake—she was rushing too much. Probably I’ve been overcharged on other occasions anyway!’ But then my conscience got the better of me. I went back, showed her the docket and pointed out the problem.
‘Oh, thank you so much,’ she said. ‘That’s very nice of you—you’ll have good karma all day now!’
I blinked a few times, paid my money and turned away, wishing yet again I could have thought of something suitable to say in the moment.
As I reflected more on these two interesting events, I experienced various emotions. I was touched by these ladies’ responses. Both of them could have just thanked me (or not!) and said or done nothing more. I was annoyed at myself for not knowing what to say in return. But I also felt sad that these women seemed to set such store by four-leaf clovers and good karma. And probably they would represent a large percentage of the general population too, as far as such beliefs are concerned.
I don’t want to act or say anything in a graceless, judgemental way, but I’m sure there’s more that affects my life and the outcomes of my words and deeds than four-leaf clovers and good karma. I believe the Lord knows us intimately and watches over us, loving and caring for us, through all the good and bad times in our lives.
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. … You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:1, 4)
So I’ve decided it’s much better to opt for that loving, gracious hand of God on me each day, rather than trusting in good karma or four-leaf clovers. How about you?
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
In korea, we call 4 leave clover is lucky and 3 leaves clover is happiness. So happiness is everywhere if we like to invite but lucky is very very rare.💚
Thanks. Sung-sook
That’s so interesting, to hear your comments from a Korean perspective, Sung-sook–I didn’t know other cultures knew all about four leaf clovers too. Thanks for taking the time to comment. And yes, I think God is so much more reliable than any luck we might be tempted to trust in!
Yes I agree with you Jo- Anne, God is the only way for each day and yes I too often get confronted with Paganism and Superstition which are evil in God’s Eyes.
On my way to do my Shopping on my Mobility Scooter I have asked God to lead me to those who need to know He Loves them and yes it often happens that I find myself having a Conversation with those in need, only once have I been abused but the seeds were planted as they were with me when I was an Atheist in my Thinking having been deceived as a young Teenager that I came from an Ape and God was just made up and the seeds bore good fruit even if not received Thankfully by me at the time.
So how do we respond to those who share their believes that oppose God’s Truth. We agree with those who believe in Karma that we do reap what we sow but than add that all Good things come from God, so we Thank Him for His Kindness and we also add this is why we as Christians have no doubt that bad things do not come from God and we give much the same response to those who believe in Good Luck.
Christian Love Jo-Anne and God’s Blessings,
Anne ( Grannie Annie)
Hi Anne! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on how to approach those who perhaps have never heard of God’s love and provision for us. I love your response to those who believe in good karma in particular. In both instances, I was taken by surprise and just didn’t have time to say anything much as it was only a fleeting moment, but next time, I’ll be ready!