My husband, Michael, wanted a massage gun for Christmas. He is hard to buy for because more than half of the time he does not know what he wants. This year he gave me a Christmas wish list and told me that more than anything he wanted a massage gun for Christmas. I loved his decisiveness. He specifically told me that if this gift was not under the tree on Christmas Day he would be disappointed. So I instantly went upstairs, pulled out my purse and ordered a massage gun that day, November 30, 2020. I went the extra mile and ordered a nice one too...$183 and it was Bluetooth. My thoughts were, “if I order this early we will definitely have his gift by Christmas.” I excitedly purchased the gift and envisioned him opening his present and being so excited. I could see him in my mind using his massage gun that day and massaging all of his tired running muscles back to health. I checked my email to be certain I received the email from the company (who shall remain nameless) stating what I bought and then got my tracking number. I checked my email every day, sometimes twice a day to see if it had been shipped yet.
Come December 7th I had still not received an email that his massage gun had even left the warehouse. I was beginning to feel anxious. Was I duped? Was this even a real company? Am I just gonna be out $200 with nothing to show? I tried emailing and calling this company only to be left with zero response and no customer service member to speak with. Instead of a person I received an automated voicemail box. They were impossible to get in touch with. Can you feel my frustration yet? December 15th came and still no response. We were celebrating our family Christmas on December 19th. I disappointingly got Michael involved and he found a text messaging service for them. So at that point he knew what I was getting him for Christmas. I was then able to be in contact with someone from the company. They told me that the product would not be here by Christmas so they sent me an oscillating sphere worth $60 for free while we wait for our product. They also sent me an email apologizing but the email was made to an Eric...my name is Erin.
December 31st was finally here and still we have not received our massage gun. Michael was sore from a new workout routine he began and stated that he wished he had his massage gun to massage his sore muscles out. I was livid! I decided I was gonna wait until we got our product and then I was going to write a nasty review. I actually had been saying this for a few weeks now. I found the anger building up and I was all of a sudden feverishly scrubbing the dishes and angrily piling them into the dishwasher. I decided to text message this company again and I told them that I was sick of waiting and that they could have their oscillating sphere back. We did not want the sphere but we wanted the massage gun. We want a refund. They responded by saying that they would refund our money and they would send a return label so we could mail our sphere back. I was glad they were giving the refund but I also wondered how they had the audacity to ask for the sphere back. Yes, I did offer to return it but you would think that they would have offered to have us keep the ball. I was also sad because this gift that I expected to be here on time, that I expected Michael to open on our Christmas Day, this gift that was so great just had not come and had no signs of ever making it here.
Michael, knowing me oh so well, asked me if I needed some time to go upstairs and read something. I concluded that the one thing I needed in that moment was not a thing but a One. I needed to spend time with Jesus and in my Bible because the way I was acting and portraying myself to my family and the person I was texting with was not the person I wanted to be showing off in that moment. It was seemingly easier to just stay in my anger but of course, the LORD spoke as He always does. My devotion was centered in on the book of Job, chapter one. As I opened up the chapter I read that Job lost all of his servants because they were killed by intruders, fire came and burned up all 7,000 of his sheep and the servants who tended the sheep as well, his camels which numbered 3,000 were stolen and those servants were taken as well. Then to top all of this bad news off he was told that all of his sons and daughters had been killed by a strong wind which caused the son’s house to fall in on them. His response to all of this tragedy was to fall on the ground and worship the LORD. After all he had been told and he worships God. I was brought to tears by this revelation. My problems and inconveniences are pennies in comparison to the tragedy that befell Job on that day and yet he found it within himself to fall down and worship God.
I am so grateful that in my moment of anger I had a husband who pointed me in the direction of my Savior. As I sat and read and reflected on those words I decided that I would not write a review for this company. I was thankful for the refund and to be free from waiting and worrying. We are currently living in crazy times in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Products are not as easily available as they once were. Delivery men and women are running rampant trying to keep up with all of the deliveries. Companies are doing their very best to keep their heads above water just to remain open. The last thing this company needed was another bad review done by me, a Christ follower. I made up my mind and prayed that this was the direction God wanted me to take.
When I finished studying I heard God’s whispers to check my email. As soon as I had made this decision I received an email from them saying they gave the refund and that we should keep the sphere because of our troubles. They also apologized. Apologies really go a long way. God had worked out these small issues I had all while I laid them at his feet. He changed my heart. My anger had subsided and we were now free from this transaction plus we have a free item. I hope that when another dilemma approaches in my life I will remember Job and all he lost. I hope to remember that no matter what comes my way I am called to fall and worship at my Creator’s feet. It is in this beautiful surrender where I experienced freedom, peace and relief. He not only took care of me but he also took care of the company who I was annoyed with by calming my storm and keeping my fingers from typing a nasty review. I want my life to reflect a life of forgiveness, peace and grace.
What feelings are you experiencing today? I want to propose that you spend some time in the Bible, seek the LORD for guidance through your circumstances and be amazed at how he transforms your life and your perspective on your situations. I think rather than leaving nasty reviews or using our freedom of speech in the customer service returns line we should take a step back and reflect on how we want our lives to be portrayed. May we choose to see the person behind the desk or behind the phone and not see our circumstance. May we have the realization that it is ok to receive the refund and make the return but it is not ok to leave our emotional baggage at their feet. The things we choose to say or the ways we choose to interact with others has a ripple effect. We need more peace in our world today than ever. You have the ability to be the catalyst for that peace. Will you leave behind a wake of destruction and turmoil or will you leave behind a wave of peace and joy? My hope is that all who read will choose to write peace and joy on their hands through the year 2021. Happy New Year!
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