Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips
and from the
deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:2
My conversation with customer support begins quite
pleasantly. I give my name, explain the problem, and the voice on the other end
of the line exudes confidence. Then we get to the questions: What phone number
is associated with this account? What email address?
I cannot answer. It has been years since I opened the
account, and as I offer one possible but incorrect response after another my
frustration begins to mount. I know the account number, the login for the
website, and my online password. But none of these will get me the help I need.
And all at once I am no longer calm or pleasant. It is only
after the harsh and impatient words are out of my mouth that I remember to whom
I am speaking. A person. A person who is doing his job. An individual who has been nothing but
courteous to me. Someone who must answer the phone all day long, knowing that
on the other end of the line will be exasperated people wanting him is to fix a
problem that is not of his making.
I take a deep breath and apologize
for my rudeness. And as the problem is solved, I thank him. I wish him a good
day and hope he has no more cranky customers. And then I offer a prayer of
contrition to God for my own deceitful tongue and need to cast blame. Perhaps
my penance could be to be to cast kindness and respect instead.
copyright © Anne E. Kitch 2014
