Mar
5
2018

The Saga Of The Washing Machine

Posted in Daily Living | Leave a comment

My new washing machine was to be delivered this past week.
The night before, the store called with an automated message.
I was given a two hour delivery window for the following day.
I was glad that the window was in the morning.

Our washer is a front loader.
Since I am tall, both my washer and dryer are on pedestals, which were purchased separately.
My husband ordered them and installed them for me eight years ago.
He asked the salesman an important question.

We were buying the washer from the same manufacturer.
My husband wanted to know one important thing.
Would the old pedestal be compatible with the new washer?
The salesman was certain that it would be compatible.

We ordered the washer alone and did not order a new pedestal.
The delivery men came as scheduled.
My laundry room is off my kitchen.
I always tease my husband and say that the laundry room was designed by a man.

I would have designed the laundry room much differently.
I would have made it wider and have it serve as a mud room as well.
So the men could take out the old washer and bring in the new, the kitchen door was closed.
I heard them take out the old washer; I went in and vacuumed the empty space.

As they brought the new washer inside, they closed the door again.
All done, Ma’am, I heard them say to me through the door.
I walked into the laundry room.
No! That’s not right; Where is my pedestal? I asked.

There is no pedestal, the delivery man said showing me his paperwork.
I mean my old pedestal: you were to put the new washer on the old pedestal, I told him.
It won’t fit, the delivery man said as he pointed to bolts and brackets.
There’s liability if we do that, he said, you have to get a new pedestal with your new washer.

That is not what the salesman told my husband, I said trying to be calm.
I looked at my new washer which looked like it belonged in a dollhouse.
It was half the size of my dryer, which was on a pedestal.
The delivery man showed me his paperwork, which said, washer only.

I called my husband after they left.
He wanted to talk to the delivery man.
They were still in my driveway so I gave the man the phone.
I heard the same things about brackets and bolts and liability.

My husband said he would handle it.
I got a text a few minutes later that he had called our salesman.
I got a call hours later that a new pedestal had to be purchased.
The salesman gave my husband 30% off the price.

The delivery of the pedestal was scheduled for two days later.
The call came the night before during a horrible Nor’easter storm and before we lost power.
The delivery was scheduled for the next day.
We were first on the delivery route.

The delivery men came on time.
They walked in and asked me where my pedestal was for them to install.
You have my pedestal, I said trying to stay calm.
No, we don’t, he said showing me his paperwork.

Right there it said, customer has pedestal at home, ready to install.
That is wrong!
I said.
The washer is here, but you were to bring the new pedestal, I said quite frustrated.
I felt like there should be hidden cameras in my laundry room.

We have a bunch of deliveries, the man said, but we come back this way later today.
We should be able to swing by the store and pick up your pedestal,
he semi-promised.
I will call the store and tell them about the mix-up, he said.
He did, but I called as well.

My salesman was apologetic.
He said that his notation said, washer in the home.
It seemed like a whisper down the lane game.
That notation got changed somehow to, pedestal in the home.

No matter the fault, the situation needed to be remedied.
I was glad that later that day the pedestal would be installed.
I was glad that my washer would not look like it belonged in a dollhouse any longer.
I got the phone call later in the afternoon.

The salesman called to say that he had good news and not so good news.
He did not let me choose which one I wanted to hear first.
The delivery guys got tied up and cannot come back to your house today, he said.
I can personally bring the pedestal to you today but I can’t install it, he offered.

Or you can wait and be on the schedule for tomorrow, he said.
I was not sure which was the good news.
His “tomorrow” was the day I go to church and nothing was going to interfere with that.
You can decline the delivery if it is not convenient and then reschedule, he offered.

I was beginning to think a washboard and the kitchen sink sounded nice about now.
I will wait and see what time they say they will arrive, I told him.
My youngest daughter came home for an overnight so that she could go to a play with friends.
She came in from the garage and through the laundry room.

Wow! What happened to our washer? She asked.
Where do I begin?

Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is. (C.S. Lewis)

I was taken off guard.
I was annoyed.
I was frustrated.
I was grumbling.

One might say that I was justified.
One might say.
What does God say?
I tried to remain calm but how did I really do?

Calm on the outside and mad on the inside.
The delivery men and the salesman may not have noticed.
However, I know my heart.
God knows my heart.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Overcomer.
That is what I am in Christ.
There will be trouble in this world.
There will be annoyances and frustrations.

Jesus overcame them all because Jesus overcame the world.
The enemy thought that he won when Jesus died on the cross.
Little did he know!
There was Sunday, there was Resurrection, there was victory.

That same victory is ours if we are believers in the Lord Jesus.
Nothing can get us down.
We are victorious in Him.
Even in the daily annoyances of this fallen world, we are victorious.

In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Amen, Lord Jesus.
I am an overcomer in all things because of You.

 

Whispers of His Movement and Whispers in Verse books are now available in paperback and e-book!

http://www.whispersofhismovement.com/book/

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