An Irate Customer

One morning there was a message on the answering machine from an irate customer, complaining about her lack of service—service that had been suspended because her check had bounced. Her abusive message included a curse word.

As it is my job to handle payments received, it was my duty to collect the check. Everyone responsible for the “missed” service was happy to pass the situation off to me. They were glad there was a bad check involved, making dealing with this woman my job. They told me how difficult the task would be and offered to prepare me by playing the message. I refused saying, “No, I’m afraid it would prejudice me.”

As is often the case when a check bounces, I soon found that this woman’s phone number was no longer in service. A check of the caller I.D. told us the call had come from the manager’s office of the apartment building where our customer lived. We left a message with the manager and within the hour our call was returned.

I told our customer gently, sympathetically that a check she had written had been returned because of non-sufficient funds. I told her I always want to let people know about returned checks quickly because the huge fees the banks charge can cause more checks to be returned and more fees to be charged. (It is not unusual for one error to lead to a chain of returned checks and fees that can cost the consumer several hundred dollars.)

I told her I hoped she could contact the bank and get things straightened out before her problems got worse. I also told her, gently once more, that I hated to add to her problems but she would owe us a fee for the returned check because the bank charges us a fee when a check is returned.

She told me she had difficulties because of being on a fixed income and being in poor health. I commiserated with her. She told me she had no one, that she had no children but had raised several that belonged to her husband and after living with him thirty years he had left her for another woman. She told me she was facing open-heart surgery. I commiserated every step of the way and I was sincere in my sympathy.

Finally, after she had promised to pay, I told her that I was going to tell her something that was just from me, not speaking for the business I worked for, just for myself. I told her I would pray for her.

This was several weeks ago and I have prayed for her several times since. Not only do I care about her situation—and more particularly about the lonely state she lives in as a result—but she taught me something about cranky people, something that I will try not to forget.

When a person is cranky, there may be reasons you don’t know about. If you don’t react with anger, you may learn what the real problem is and may in some way be able to help, if only with a little sympathy.

— B. Killebrew

Meditation: “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” – Luke 7:47

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Learnings

This is credited to Andy Rooney, a man reputed for saying so much with so few words:

I’ve learned….That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned… That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned… That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.

I’ve learned… That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I’ve learned… That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned… That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned… That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned… That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned… That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned… That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned… That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned… That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned… That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned… That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned… That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned… That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I’ve learned… That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned… That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned… That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned… That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned… That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned… That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned… That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned… That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned… That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I’ve learned… That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned… That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned… That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned… That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned… That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; – Proverbs 2:1-2

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Never Only Focus On The Surface

A cruise ship met with an accident at sea. On the ship was a couple who, after having made their way to the lifeboat, realized that there was only space for one person left.

At this moment, the man pushed the woman behind him and jumped onto the lifeboat himself.

The lady stood on the sinking ship and shouted one sentence to her husband.

The teacher stopped and asked, “What do you think she shouted?”

Most of the students excitedly answered, “I hate you! I was blind!”

Now, the teacher noticed a boy who was silent throughout, she pressed him to answer and he replied, “Teacher, I believe she would have shouted – Take care of our child!”

The teacher was surprised, asking, “Have you heard this story before?”

The boy shook his head, “Nope, but that was what my mum told my dad before she died to disease.”

The teacher lamented, “The answer is right”.

The cruise sunk, the man went home and brought up their daughter single-handedly.

Many years later after the death of the man, their daughter found his diary while tidying his belongings. It turns out that when her parents went onto the cruise ship, the mother was already diagnosed with a terminal illness. At the critical moment, the father rushed to the only chance of survival.

He wrote in his diary, “How I wished to sink to the bottom of the ocean with you, but for the sake of our daughter, I can only let you lie forever below the sea alone”.

The story is finished; the class was silent.

The teacher knows that the students have understood the moral of the story; that of the good and the evil in the world, there are many complications behind them that are difficult to understand. Which is why we should never only focus on the surface and judge others without understanding their intention first.

Those who like to pay the bill, do so not because they are loaded but because they value friendship above money.

Those who take the initiative at work, do so not because they are stupid but because they understand the concept of responsibility.

Those who apologize first after a fight, do so not because they are wrong but because they value the people around them.

Those who are willing to help you, do so not because they owe you anything but because they see you as a true friend.

Those who often text you, do so not because they have nothing better to do but because you are in their heart.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: “…For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

57 Cents That Made History

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it ‘was too crowded’. “I can’t go to Sunday School,” she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kind-hearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting which read, “This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school.”

For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there!

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cent payment.

Church members made large subscriptions. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000.00 a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside at Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr Russel H. Conwell.

– Author Unknown

Meditation: Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 18:10

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Asking God Why

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS, which he got due to infected blood he received during heart surgery in 1983.

He received sympathetic letters from his fans, one of which conveyed:

“Why did God have to select you for such a bad disease?”

To this, Arthur Ashe replied:

50 Million children started playing tennis…

5 Million learnt to play tennis…

500,000 learnt professional tennis…

50,000 made it to the Circuit…

5,000 reached grand-slam…

50 got to Wimbledon…

4 crossed to the semi-finals…

Only 2 scaled through to the finals…

And when I was holding the Cup in my hand, I never asked God, “Why me?” So now that I’m in pain, how can I ask God “Why me?”

Happiness keeps you sweet.
Trials keep you strong.
Sorrows keep you human.
Failure keeps you humble.
Success keeps you glowing.
But only Faith keeps you going.

Sometimes you are unsatisfied with your life, while many people in the world are dreaming of living your life.

Live simply.
Walk humbly.
Love genuinely and
Trust God fully.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Bella’s Tale

Bella was one of my favorite dogs, especially considering she didn’t even belong to me. This is a dog story, with a moral for everyone.

A black and white female border collie, Bella was a credit to her species, so smart you would swear she knew what you were thinking. She could cajole even the most reluctant bystander into a game of fetch, bringing you any woebegone stick she could put her muzzle on, and meaningfully lay it at your feet and look up at you with the most come-play-with-me eyes.

A friend of ours, Elmer, had given it to his daughter, Edie, one year for Christmas, but Bella immediately set about endearing herself to everyone. Edie trained her not only in the finer arts of fetching and shaking hands, but to stand patiently with a delicious morsel on her nose until the precise second when Edie signaled; she’d whip her snout up and of course it disappeared just like that. Bella would stay put in the middle of the driveway and not venture near the road when Edie collected the mail, and never ran off. “She knows her borders,” Edie emphasized.

But on January 30, Elmer called Edie about 10 p.m. Edie, 23, had recently moved to town. The dog remained at the homestead, where he had room to run. Edie would visit frequently of course, and occasionally took Bella with her to go visit a friend. Had Edie done so that day, Elmer inquired of his daughter? Bella, the almost-seven-year-old pal, was missing.

Edie was immediately upset, but said no, she hadn’t taken the dog anywhere. The last any family member had seen Bella was around two p.m. They’d heard barking in the woods–maybe, uncharacteristically, Bella had wandered off. The day was icy and cold. Maybe she’d come back seeking warmth in the night.

Edie had the next day off so she went to her home with a friend and they spent three hours tramping in the woods, to no avail. When darkness fell, they started knocking on doors and calling neighbors. No one had seen Bella. The next day, Edie’s friend called a local call-in radio show to report a missing dog. After the weekend passed with no sign of Bella, Edie and Elmer ran an ad in the local paper, offering a reward. Edie made fliers and posted 30 of them around the community and called area SPCAs.

Edie’s older brothers began preparing her for the worst, talking about maybe this was better than ever having to put a dog down, for instance. Edie couldn’t stand such talk: she knew Bella would show up; she wouldn’t give up. “I knew I had to keep trying to find her,” Edie recalled. Her father, to his credit, believed, too.

Everyone was very helpful, Edie said, but she had a hard time dealing with any naysayers. We tried not to think about the coyotes that are increasingly rampant in the region. We tried not to think about Bella maybe cornered by a pack of big mean strays, or with a paw stuck in a ravine during those sub-20 degree days.

Three weeks later Edie casually checked her cell messages on her lunch break from her job, something she didn’t usually do. She began to scream and cry: Ernest Gordon, from Mathias, West Virginia, 20 miles to the west, had left her a long, rambling, message. He was sure he had Edie’s dog! Ernest had spotted her one evening five miles down the road when he’d had to brake for her. Then the next night she had shown up at his house. He and his family immediately sensed that despite no collar, this was a very well-mannered, intelligent, well-cared-for dog. She could fetch, shake hands. Ernest’s family bathed her, fed her, and called her “Grandma” because they thought she was elderly.

Then Ernest saw one of the fliers in town. The flier said the dog would answer to the name “Bella.” Ernest drove home and went to the dog. “Bella,” he tested. Her ears perked to attention! Edie’s dog was alive and doing well.

Long story short, Bella was joyfully reunited with her excited true owners but quickly wore a look of “okay, so I had my little adventure, what’s everybody crying about?” I share this happy-ending tale to thank Ernest for being honest enough to return a valuable, beloved dog and to remind everyone to be likewise goodhearted when given the opportunity.

by Melodie Davis

Meditation: I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. – Luke 15:7

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The Waste in Worry

If we were to keep a record of all the things we worried about during a given period of time, we would discover–in reviewing them–that the great majority of our anticipated problems or troubles never come to pass. This means that most of the time we devote to worrying, even the constructive kind that prompts us to try to come up with a solution to what is troubling us, is wasted. Thus, we not only caused ourselves unnecessary mental anguish but also took up valuable minutes and hours that could have been spent elsewhere.

To avoid this, it is often necessary to subject potential sources of worry to the coldly objective and analytical light of reason. Once, shortly before a major concert before a standing-room-only audience, a member of Arturo Toscanini’s orchestra approached the great Italian conductor with an expression of sheer terror on his face. “Maestro,” the musician fretted, “my instrument is not working properly. I cannot reach the note of E-flat. Whatever will I do? We are to begin in a few moments.”

Toscanini looked at the man with utter amazement. Then he smiled kindly and placed an arm around his shoulders. “My friend,” the maestro replied, “Do not worry about it. The note E-flat does not appear anywhere in the music that you will be playing this evening.”

The next time we find ourselves in the middle of worrying about some matter, we might be wise to stop and ask ourselves what the odds are of the problem really coming to pass. We may be able to go on to something more constructive.

by Brad Stevens

Meditation: And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? – Luke 12:25

You will succeed in Jesus Name!