Worth the Wait (9/8/2023)

Yesterday afternoon, I went to turn on my family room “smart tv” and when it woke up, it had amnesia. The Spectrum icon was completely missing from its queue. I tried everything I knew, changing batteries in the remote, unplugging and plugging back in the power, etc. Finally, I gave up and phoned the company service line. After several minutes of an AI receptionist trying to figure me out, I convinced “her” that I needed to speak to a real person. Trouble was, there were several other people waiting to speak to someone.

I bided my time, waited patiently, and finally a rather charming, warm and friendly voice spoke to me. “Hello, my name is Rena. How may I help you?” I began by forecasting that she couldn’t, that my problem would require a service call. She patiently listened, chuckled lightly, then said, “I hear your concern, but will you let me try? If I can’t help, I promise you will get a service call.” Her tone was kind, her listening skills were superb, her patience deserves an award. Long story short, after 10 minutes, Rena had us running again. Spectrum was back on my smart tv’s radar. I thanked Rena and told her I wish I could buy her a soda for her efforts and patience.

I wish that Rena could share her diagnostic skills with the world. I am serious. This young woman was marvelous. She could begin by going to every medical school in the country and giving seminars on listening and maintaining a caring and empathetic tone while trying to decipher clues. Our world could use more Renas.

Rena taught me several lessons yesterday that had nothing to do with making my television work. She reminded me that authentic loving kindness goes a long way in establishing trust. Her patience and serenity reminded me that often the world doesn’t initially accept our gifts, but that we must be patient and not get agitated and pushy. She showed me anew the value of listening to the other and calmly asking questions of clarification.

Last evening, as I took myself and my life to the porch for evening prayer, I recalled my time with Rena. I thanked the LORD for her and her skills, most especially her kindness and her composed and peaceful prompts. I realized her lessons to me as a companion to others on the way and asked the LORD for the grace to be more kind, more composed, more peaceful in my companionship to others.

As we journey, let us bear in mind that we are called to assist others on the way. Let us always seek to be kind and patient with one another. Let us commit to listening well to the needs and fears of the other. Let us pray daily for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the grace of peace, seeking to be instruments of the LORD’s will and not just agents of our own agenda. And may those with whom we journey feel blessed and at peace at the end of the day.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.