The Check Is In The Mail
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series IV Cycle C
In November of 1998, I received a call from the billing department of a major electronics store. The woman wanted to know where my payment was.
I was astonished. "The payment isn't due until tomorrow, and as a matter of fact, the check is in the mail," I said. It was the truth. The check was in the mail.
She replied to the effect that they hadn't received payment yet, and that no further purchases could be made on the account -- which had an outstanding balance of about $1,600 at the time.
I pointed out my perfect payment history. To no avail. They wanted payment now.
Peeved, I said she would probably get her payment the next day, but that in the meantime, she could close my account because I did have shopping choices, and from henceforth and forevermore (I can be melodramatic at times) I would fulfill my electronic needs elsewhere.
So she closed the account, and I paid off my bill. And since that date, I have never stepped foot in the door of that store and its franchise members again. I certainly do not have a positive testimonial for this store.
You no doubt have similar horror stories to tell.
On the other hand, I took my car in to the local Mazda dealer the other day, and the people there were great. The service rep was well-organized, efficient, and professional. He didn't try to hustle me for more repairs than were needed. He explained what the problem was, and what would be needed to fix it, and when I could get my car back again.
I went home and told my wife about the experience and I praised that Mazda dealership because of him -- that guy behind the desk.
The Apostle Paul is able to say that "they praised God because of me." Paul understood that he was -- and we are -- customer service reps, in the service and employ of God himself. What we do affects in a positive or negative way how others see and understand God.
The authenticating stamp of our call to ministry and our service as Christians in the world is that others see us, and in seeing us, see God and give God the praise.
I was astonished. "The payment isn't due until tomorrow, and as a matter of fact, the check is in the mail," I said. It was the truth. The check was in the mail.
She replied to the effect that they hadn't received payment yet, and that no further purchases could be made on the account -- which had an outstanding balance of about $1,600 at the time.
I pointed out my perfect payment history. To no avail. They wanted payment now.
Peeved, I said she would probably get her payment the next day, but that in the meantime, she could close my account because I did have shopping choices, and from henceforth and forevermore (I can be melodramatic at times) I would fulfill my electronic needs elsewhere.
So she closed the account, and I paid off my bill. And since that date, I have never stepped foot in the door of that store and its franchise members again. I certainly do not have a positive testimonial for this store.
You no doubt have similar horror stories to tell.
On the other hand, I took my car in to the local Mazda dealer the other day, and the people there were great. The service rep was well-organized, efficient, and professional. He didn't try to hustle me for more repairs than were needed. He explained what the problem was, and what would be needed to fix it, and when I could get my car back again.
I went home and told my wife about the experience and I praised that Mazda dealership because of him -- that guy behind the desk.
The Apostle Paul is able to say that "they praised God because of me." Paul understood that he was -- and we are -- customer service reps, in the service and employ of God himself. What we do affects in a positive or negative way how others see and understand God.
The authenticating stamp of our call to ministry and our service as Christians in the world is that others see us, and in seeing us, see God and give God the praise.
