PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

November 27, 2024

A CURSE OR A BLESSING

While waiting to have my car serviced at the local Ford garage, a gentleman who was also waiting asked me, “What model car do you own?”  Earlier in the day I had noticed him and the lady sitting next to him get out of their car which was in front of me when I arrived at the garage.  Evidently from the bags they were carrying, they had spent a part of their time at a nearby grocery store.

After telling the man I had a Fusion and answered his question of how I liked it, he asked what I did.  When I told him I was a retired pastor, the man related that he and his wife attended a South Bend Church of God where she was the secretary.

When I inquired about the attendance at their church, they answered “That is another question!”  Their church had the same pastor for fourteen years before he retired.  Since the coming of a new pastor, the attendance has gradually fallen to the 80’s.

Before attending the Church of God, the man had attended the Southlawn United Methodist Church when it was still EUB.  He asked what year it was that the merger between the  EUB’s and the Methodist’s took place.

Since everything of which the couple shared related to South Bend, I asked if that is where they lived.  When they answered in the affirmative, my next question was why they were having their car serviced in Plymouth.  The question brought an instant, intense response.

The couple had purchased their present car in South Bend.  From the very beginning there seemed to be something wrong with one of the wheels.  Every time they would take it in, they were told everything was fine.  When the trouble persisted, they made another call only to be told in a very hostile and belligerent manner that there was no way they were going to get new springs.  Never-the-less another appointment was made.

This visit the couple insisted the car be put up on the lift. The problem with one of the wheels was readily apparent.  They got new shocks free.

A few days later a representative from Ford called and asked about their experience.  The lady told about the difficulty getting the car repaired and the negative attitude of the receptionist at the Ford garage.  A few days later, the receptionist called and reamed the couple out for giving a negative report.  Thus, they had come to Plymouth the next time work was needed on their car.

The couple was pleased with the service and the friendliness of the staff of the Plymouth Ford dealer.  They even believed the prices were a little cheaper.  When I left I thanked them for doing business in Plymouth and hoped that they would return.

We are entering the busiest retail season of the year.  The pressure on salespersons can be great.  The temptation to really let a customer have it as did the receptionist at the South Bend garage can be intense.  Unfortunately, the consequences of such an outburst can be devastating.

The Book of James says that “the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. … With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth comes blessings and curses.” (James 3:5, 9, 10a)

In the coming weeks all of us are going to be customers.  We like the persons who serve us have a choice.  Our tongues can be a blessing or a curse.  May we say and do all things to the glory of the one whose birthday we celebrate the 25^th of December.

(This article was originally published November 27, 2011.  Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)