Ever wish there were limits on humility? Already think there are? This may not even be an issue of humility. Let me know what you think.
Maybe this is why churches became communities of needs being met, because a church doing business with an actual profit-margin-inspired company outside of the congregation doesn’t lead to much good.
I’m a pretty laid back person, by nature. Not sure why, always, but I’d give God credit for a large part of it. So when I placed an order for new chairs for our youth room, they asked me if this was “urgent”, if I had a date I needed the chairs by. I figured they were pretty busy, and honestly didn’t want to come across as jerkish…so I told them at least before 2010. It was early September. We both laughed. Of course, we’d get them before 2010.
So here we are, about to enter March, 2010. I’ve called several times. Several times, I’ve been told they’re not sure why it’s taken so long, and there could be a few different reasons. Holiday break, fabric not being in, etc. etc. “But you’ll definitely get a call by _____ (fill in the date)”
Many of those dates have come and gone, and still…no chairs. My teens are even beginning to laugh at the joke of these mythical chairs that I somehow believe are going to arrive someday.
My natural reaction? Frustration. Usually felt toward Alisha, the “innocent” gatekeeper on the phone somewhere in Georgia, who always has to apologize for whoever actually owes me an explanation.
Am I to take the road of humility that swallows the “I deserve _____” mentality, and simply say, “Okay, I’ll call back next time you don’t meet the deadline so we can repeat this conversation.”? (or something with less sarcasm and more love.)
Should I focus on the “Justice”, and “right business practice”, and the people who actually donated the money toward new chairs…and stand up for them?
Tempting even, to put their name on this post, as a warning to anyone searching for reviews on their business. But perhaps my case is just a fluke. Maybe they give great customer service, and speedy deliveries to everyone else.
For now, I suppose it was a great illustration for Advent.
One that might still be useful for this next Advent as well.
Meanwhile, our teens will sit on broken wooden chairs. 🙂 Good Lent practice, probably.
words from wick 
They can't deliver. Justice/frustration properly directed at them (not at the girl, but at her boss or her boss's boss, perhaps) is utterly appropriate and Christian.
They told you one thing and did something different–if one of your youth kids lied to you, you wouldn't smile and say “ok, maybe we'll just talk about it later, next time you want to lie to me.”
It's a little different.
but not much.