Answering machines!

I have been off-line for several days. Do you know how frustrating that can be?!! But at the same time it was nice not to be married to e-mail and the web.

I have a little “hot spot” that plugs into my computer, supplied by my cellular service, that pulls in the internet – for a price, of course. Well it quit – just as I was getting ready to pay bills. Arrugh! I tapped it. Turned everything off and started again. Nothing! There was no reason for it to quit.

I confess that I am technologically challenged – big time. (I still want a TV with an on and off button – not all these fancy remotes. But anyway…) I called technical support. I am sure you all are familiar with the rigmarole you go through…”Press 1 if you want English (Arrugh), key in the phone number you are calling about, what are the last four digits of your Social Security number, please hold – it will be about 45 minutes”. So I sat there listening to all their appeals for better service options. (I just wanted better service!) Finally, someone came on the line and we went through it all again! “What is the phone number you are calling about, who are you, what are the last 4 digits of your social security number…How can I help you? Let me get you to the right person.” So I waited some more. I had things that needed to be done!! Finally, a very nice man came on the phone and took me through all sorts of tests with the hot spot. In the process of doing this I asked where he was located. Nebraska. Was it cold? No. Was it really flat? Yes.  We chit chatted while the tests were run.

We couldn’t get it working and so he said he would have to send out a replacement. He asked if 2 day delivery would be OK. I told him I was a writer and needed it sooner. He then said, “You are famous.” I assured him that I was not but I had a famous father. He said. “No, your father is mega famous and you are famous.” (I am so glad I had been pleasant!!) I asked him how he knew that and he said he had read my book, In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart. He was a former pastor. I gathered that he had burned out and was doing this to have a break from the stress and pressure of being a pastor. I have a real burden for such pastors. We talked a bit about the need for pastors to have support. They are isolated and pedestalized. He agreed and we had a great conversation.

I hung up and felt I had a friend. It made me so aware of the need to reach pastors. I have a vision for a pastor’s summit where pastors can network, be transparent, hear from other pastors who struggle…The need is there. But the funding has not been. And I am not sure I am one to lead an organiztion…I am more than happy to come alongside and help others who are doing it.

Back to my story…he said he would send a replacement, no cost to me, by Fed Ex for next day delivery. I was away when the Fed Ex man came and he needed a signature! So it would be delivered the following day! When it did come, I could not get the back off of it – it was tighter than a tick – so had to run to the local store. She was able to do it in an New York minute. I felt so dumb. I took it home and it still didn’t work. I called tech support again and went through the whole process again. Now I was told it needed a new sim card! So back to the store I went. Still it didn’t work. So I called technical support. Yes…we went through the process AGAIN! After an hour the person figured out that the codes were wrong! And once he had them set correctly, I was in business.

All this spells “FRUSTRATION”. During this time, I tried to focus on what possible purpose was there to all of this. God works through such situations. What was He telling me? Interruptions can be avenues for ministry. Think of all the interruptions in Jesus’ life that lead to great ministry. I have along way to go.

Whoever invented the automatic answering machines!!! I am so glad we don’t get an answering device when we call heaven. We get God every time. He is attentive immediately!