Ecclesiastes 10:12 “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,” (WEB)
While growing up, I was told frequently, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar”. This rule was helpful when my weekend newspaper was not delivered for the fourth Saturday in a row. I called the customer service, as I’ve done for the past three weekends, to tell them the paper delivery person forgot us again. This time it was very tempting to get that ’barracuda’ attitude I’ve been known to don when I am upset (one that I have been working on for the last 20+ years to tame). I felt like the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland – “OFF with their heads!”
Instead, the Holy Spirit gently came over me to remind me of using gentle words; that the person who answers the customer service phone is NOT responsible for the delivery person‘s actions. I requested to speak to the highest manager on duty. Soon a trepidatious woman answered. I could tell in her voice that she was ready for the “Off with their heads!” attitude I had been feeling. Instead, I cheerily greeted her and told her my ‘story’ of being neglected by this errant paper delivery person for the fourth weekend in a row, and how it just suddenly started happening after years of great service. Then I asked her what “we could do to correct this problem?”.
I must say, I was SO shocked with myself! I did not threaten to cancel the paper, or any other dire coercion that I normally would have used to get better service. She was more than helpful, agreed totally with me that it was ridiculous for this nuisance to go on so long and told me she WOULD take care that the absent minded employee remembered us on their route from now on. I thanked her heartily and she thanked ME for being so polite and courteous. We both hung up feeling lighter and encouraged!
If I need to call for the fourth weekend in a row, I will still keep that attitude. Do you know why? It made ME feel better and I know it made my Savior look even better!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for tempered words in times of frustration. Help me to remember this attitude long after I hit the send button for this devotion. Amen.
Our lives are so much alike.. It has happened to us this past month 3 times….When I reached out to get the paper this past sunday it was there….Russ and I jumped up and down with joy….And yes when I called I was very pleasant with them, because when I lived in Virginia Russ and I worked as a sub to deliver newspapres one weekend to see if we would like the job…….After working that weekend I changed my mind about the people who deliver newspapers…I would never do that job in a million years..it is very hard…There is alot more to it then just putting the newspaper on the doorstep….So my attitude changed that weekend many many years ago…Sometimes there may have been a stray dog or a group of not so nice people standing on the corner…Or someone stealing the sunday paper…Your on the corner, very easy to take and since the newspaper is more expensive people will steal it for the ads and coupons…It may not the the delivery guy at all…Just some thoughts…Lisa
Hey Cee – what a beautiful example of love you are. People truly want to help us when we allow them to. I LOVED LOVED LOVED that you have your castle story…you are such an example of what God’s love has…your story is such an inspriation and your courage and strength a sight to behold.
Love,
Nan