Customer Service

Some days....

This morning my dear wifey woke me up by announcing that our 2 year old -- top of the line -- Kenmore refrigerator quit working sometime during the night.

I can't say this pleased me because Kenmore refrigerator's are quite expensive and (silly me) I expect them to last more than 2 years.

I am tempted to go into a yarn about the "good ol days" when refrigerators lasted up to 5 or 6 years. But those days are loooong gone.

So Michele called the "_ (company name)_" and asked for the maintenance division. She was immediately connected with a genius that had NO interest in getting our refrigerator repaired but was highly motivated to sell her an extended warrantee.

She repeatedly asked him how to get a repairman out here to fix the refrigerator and he stayed the course and refused to assist her with that.

The young lad made 2 crucial errors: (a) he told her that if she would purchase the extended warrantee -- we would still have to pay for (a long list of things) that are not covered by the expensive warrantee; and (b) (and now I quote him) "in a couple years when the refrigerator breaks down again, you will be glad you purchased the extended warrantee".

At this point, I heard my wife comment, "You have a very low opinion of your product if you expect it to break down every 2 years".

The knucklehead persisted in trying to sell her something she did not want until she finally hung up on his sales pitch.

Time for me, the manly man, to resolve this issue.

So I got on line, went to "_ (company name)_" and looked up the maintenance division. Low and behold, they actually have a wonderful, user friendly web site with service technicians "standing by", just waiting for my e-mail.

At this point, I was feeling pretty good about myself. So I typed up an e-mail with all the pertinent information and hit "SEND".

This activated a pop-up screen that demanded my VISA card number. Because there is a $40 dollar fee for using "_(company name)_" maintenance division web site.

They would not even acknowledge my e-mail until I paid $40.

They don't know what my question is -- let alone if they have an answer -- or how involved the repair may be.

CRUD

So, what is your spiritual take-away from today's adventure?
(besides that your pastor is human and is capable of righteous indignation)
This is NOT going where you expect, so stick around.....

"My faith was encouraged today when a Christian brother, unexpectedly came to our rescue."

I had a Christian friend cornered today and was ranting & raving over my lack of satisfaction with "_(company name)_".

When I finally ran down, he laughed and said, "I have an older refrigerator in my garage that is not being used. Stop by and I will help you load it up. Take it home and it should serve you for a long time, or at least until your new refrigerator is fixed."

At the end of the day, as my mind was replaying the events that transpired and my reactions throughout, I was humbled, able to appreciate from my soul, and offer the good Lord my sincere thanks for again, blessing me beyond my expectations.

"Dear brothers and sisters,
when troubles come your way,
consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested,
your endurance has a chance to grow.  
So let it grow,
for when your endurance is fully developed,
you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
James 1:2-4

God's Broken Toys

A few years ago, it became apparent to my wife and I that
we needed a pickup. My dad's pickup was usually available
and he never once complained when we commandeered his
little Toyota pickup and used it to haul most every weekend.
So the day came when Michele and I couldn't postpone the
inevitable. Truth is, Carter Toyota is something of a long
running vice for Michele and I. We refuse to count the
number of vehicles Marv and Scott has blessed our family with.
I immediately spotted a little red Ford Ranger. It would haul
what needed hauling without any whistles or bells. In fact,
it was so plain that I felt no emotional attachment to it whatsoever.
Then my dear wifey pointed to a 2003 Toyota Tundra.
(cue the trumpets and angels singing the Hallelujah chorus)
It was love at first sight.
However I quickly noticed a problem with my new shiny pickup.
It was beautiful and there were no scratches or dings.
Michele started calling it my "chick truck" because there was no
possibility of it getting beat around in the woods.
Over time, I finally got it paid off and started accumulating scratches
and dings. These imperfections were very liberating and opened up
a whole world of opportunities for service.

The Good Lord applies this same principle applies to His children.
God allows his children to endure scratches and dings.

"So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my
weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles
that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong"
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"The Lord is close to the broken hearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed"
Psalm 34:18

God Never Wastes A Hurt

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us" 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

When I was a child, my grandmother had a sign hanging in her kitchen that read, “Don't criticize a man till you've walked a mile in his moccasins”.  Life has taught me a variation of that old saying, “After walking a mile in my friend’s moccasins, I am able to offer effective comfort and encouragement”. 

I noticed that after I had back surgery and suffered a few years of chronic back pain, that now there is a special place in my heart for people suffering with back injuries. 

I noticed that after losing both my grandmothers to cancer, that I can shed honest tears with those dealing with cancer. 

I noticed that after raising a step child that I can stand shoulder to shoulder with a step parent dealing with parenting issues and offer encouragement and wisdom. 

I noticed that after working in jail for 20 years, that I can effectively counsel people dealing with unhealthy decisions. 

I noticed that after spending years making impulsive decisions without prayer or godly counsel, that I can now offer insight to those needing a second chance. 

I could go on with this system of illustrations but the message is clear.  God allows his children to go through difficult times in order to mature them, strengthen their faith, teach them gratitude, and equip them with empathy for those He leads into their path needing a godly influence. 

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold”  Job 23:10