This is the story of a situation I had at my work place.
My company repairs gas appliances. One day a man rang to have his cooker repaired.
The serviceman went to his house, but because the appliance needed a special
part he went away ordered the new part from our supply company and then returned
to fit it two days later.
However, when the man received his bill
he telephoned most distraught.
“This bill has two travel charges, I am not paying the second charge.”
“Sir,” I said trying to be as polite as possible, “Did he make two trips to
your house?”
“Yes, but I don’t see why I should pay for two trips as he was only here 10
minutes the first time!”
I was a little flummoxed and was trying to think of something to compare it
to and the first thing that came to mind was ‘taxi’.
“Sir,” I said again, “If you hired a taxi to take you to a place, then got the
same taxi to take you there again would you only expect to pay for one trip
because it was to the same place?”
There was a pause and then he said, “I can see your point,” and with that the
conversation ended.
Later I was relaying this conversation to my serviceman, he said, “That was
appropriate - that man is a taxi driver!”
We were paid in full.
We don't know what our words or actions effect in others lives,
but God inspires us in these situations, guiding our thoughts, proving the Scripture
Matthew 10:18-20…
And ye shall be brought before governors
and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when
they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall
be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that
speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Stephen Share