"How may I help you?" was the question I received when I called the toll free number about a concern on one of my bills. It is always frustrating for me when something goes awry on one of our bills. I know that when I call that 1-800 number I will be listening to music or a recording with a number maze before I will be helped.
The same thing happened today when I called, but I had only two callers ahead of me so as I drove to my meeting in Berkeley I listened to the radio until it was my turn. Finally when Misty came on the line giving me the perfunctory "Thank you for calling, how may I help you?" I asked, "How are you doing today?" Misty hesitated then said, "Okay, I have to be at work, but at least I have a job." I realized then that Misty wasn't just an operator, but a person who had concerns, maybe about her family, maybe about her finances, or maybe about her struggles in life.
After she finished helping me, she began to end the call by saying, "Is there anything else I could help you with?" I told her, "No, but Misty is there anything I could help you with?" Her response was, "No." Then I said, "Well Misty I will be praying for you today."
I realized at that moment that God was there in my conversation with Misty. You see I wouldn't have had a chance to talk to Misty if I hadn't had a problem on my bill and just maybe there was something I could do for her. She replied, "That would be greatly appreciated, I can always use that." She didn't share anything she needed prayer for, but maybe through my question she realized or remembered that through a customer who needed help God was interested in her. Maybe she heard that God desired to walk with her through her day and desired to hear any concerns she had about that day.
We get so caught up in checking off our list of tasks that we fail to remember we are God's representative to the world. Perhaps now when I am helped by someone over the phone I can end by asking them if there is anything I can do for them. "How may I help you today?"
