I Don't Know...I Just Liked The Picture

Supposedly found outside Frank Sinatra's House.

Customer Service A Relic

The letter to the editor explained that customer service is now a relic. People talk on cellphones while checking people out. Sales clerks look apathetic and show sour faces. I heard one recently complain loudly to no one in particular that she was "gonna take her break," and they'd better get her some help.

So customer service is a relic?

To quote John Wayne in Big Jake responding to a questioner who told him he though Jake McCandles was dead:

"Not hardly."

I was in our local mall the other day. I needed to replace the plastic protector over the face of my iPhone. I had bought a package of 3 at the phone store and found that all three eventually crinkled, curled, and otherwise refused to lay down flat on the screen.

I was greeted at the booth by young man who, while serving a customer, acknowledged my presence, smiled, and said he'd be right with me.

In fact, after a short time, he finished the sale and waited on me. I explained that I wanted a plastic protector on my phone's screen. He explained the reason for my trouble was a case that forced the previous protectors to curl up. What I need was his whiz-bang case that fit down over the top of the phone as opposed to sliding together. In fact he had personally dropped one of his whiz-bang covers from a 30 foot ladder with no evident damage. Then we could place the protector on the phone and never have another worry.

Presto! He snapped his cover on my phone with a confident smile.

I was sold. (But what was he doing dropping cell phone covers from a 30 foot ladder?)

In a short time, he carefully affixed the new plastic protector and cover, assured me I'd never need another one again, and made me about $30 poorer. I went away happy, even though I'd only expected to spend $10.

I'd been served.

After he took my money, again with a smile, he introduced himself, shook my hand, and said he'd work hard for my business. Selling cell phones and accessories is a very competitive field. He understood that and gave a bit extra to earn my business.

He did. I'll be back.

Customer service lives on!

Great Moments In Ministry

I recently had an email conversation with a church member. In one of his posts to me he said,

"I know pastors take a lot of heat for everything from the type of toilet paper we have in the bathrooms to the freshness of the communion bread."

That reminds me of a story a preacher friend of mine tells:

His young daughter had been considering becoming a Christian by asking Jesus into her heart. There were earnest conversations, but he refused to push her into a decision, preferring to allow her to come on her own free will and trust God to lead her.

On one occasion, after he preached his sermon, he stood at the head of the aisle and invited anyone who might "have something on their heart to share with him" to feel free to do so.

Just then, his precious daughter stepped out of her pew and toward her father. Recalling his conversations with her about becoming a Christian, and believing this to be the time, he felt a wave of emotion and began to feel his eyes moisten.

As he got down on one knee to hear his daughter's precious words, those for which he had prayed and waited to hear, she said, "Daddy, there's no toilet paper in the girl's bathroom!"

He explained... "I did say, 'If you have anything on your heart to share with me right now, please do so!'"