Wednesday, July 26, 2006

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS?

So, here I am, Helen too and our two grand children in Ceres, California. We are visiting in my daughter's home. We are having a great time, presently, but we will probably be here a day longer than planned. Our 2003 Chrysler minivan lost it's transmission in Winnemucca, Nevada last Saturday afternoon. The car was a recent purchase for us; we bought an extended warrenty. The car needed to be towed 50 miles to the nearest Chrysler dealership; cost, $260.
We had to stay in Winnemucca, Saturday nite and Sunday nite. We walked to the nearest church, a Baptist church to worship on Sunday. On Monday morning we put in a call to the Enterprise car rental agency and were able to rent a vehicle, just ahead of the forest service who wanted to rent it for firefighting crews. (Somewhere in the West a fire is burning a little longer because the forest service didn't get a truck.) The gal at Enterprise was so busy, she forgot about us so we lingered at the motel until 12:30p.m. Through communications with both dealers, we learn that it will be 5 working days for them to get a transmission and a day to install it, at a cost of $2200. We were scheduled to leave on Monday, but now it will be Tues.

During all this, I cannot say that anyone has been unkind or discourtious, but I think many have been thoughtless and uncaring. From the dealership from which we bought the car to the dealership that is working on the car, to the Baptist church and the rental agency. No one ever really gave any indication that they cared beyond a customer relationship.

It has made us examine ourselves; are we willing to go the "second mile?"
Great service is always a part of success in business. Demonstrating love is always a part of a successful Christian life.

It is a great life! We are having a great time! Lord help us learn from each situation!

Grace&Peace;
Tom

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank the Lord that you are not living in Lebenon or Israel or Bagdad, or quite a few other places on earth. Thank the Lord for what you have!

Rebecca said...

No matter how bad one's life gets, I suppose that someone else's life is worse - but when a wrong is happening to you it is still hard. All I know is that the way Tom handled it. I was impressed with his manner and wisdom. I think the point of the whole story is that some people even in good 'ole America don't care about others like the should. What is their reason for not extending a hand of graciousness and hospitality. I hope that I will be more gracious and hospitable to those in need.