I explained all the features and benefits of the new heating and air conditioning system. I went over exactly how, when, and where we would install the system's components. The only thing left was to give her the price. We sat down at her kitchen table. I opened the price book and showed her the final cost of the one I recommended. It wasn't the cheapest unit on my list, but it wasn't the highest either. She immediately agreed that she did not want the cheapest unit. She asked about the higher priced system. We talked about it, but it really wasn't cost effective for her particular situation. She smiled and said, "Go ahead and do it!" Allen's Air Conditioning, Inc. installed the system that week. She was so happy! I was happy for her!
After the weekend, I went to her home to collect her payment. She had a concerned look on her face. What was wrong? Did the unit not work well? Was the installation not what she expected? What could I do to restore the joy she expressed just a few days ago? Just as she was about to write the check, she laid her pen down. "I talked to some people at church Sunday," she explained. "They told me that I could have gotten this done a lot cheaper. I feel like you have taken advantage of me!" The only way she could have hurt me more was to tear my heart out with her bare hands! I felt the lump in my throat. Not from anger or regret. The price was fair and right. It hurt me to think she thought I had done something wrong. The folks she talked to may have meant well, but they didn't have any information! How did they know what she had bought? They didn't know what was involved in the installation! I had even given her a price of a less expensive unit! She had even wanted to look at a higher priced system! I simply explained that I had done the best job for the best price I could. She reluctantly wrote the check. I thanked her and left. I was confident that the unit would serve her very well and even save her some money, but I cried anyway!
She had weighed the options, counted the cost, and made a joyful decision. Why would she listen to someone who had not even seen the product, never studied the options, and had no clue what she wanted or needed? Satan is trying to rob us of our joy in Christ. Paul warned us in 2 Corinthians 2:11"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." One of Satan's devices is to create distrust and doubt! Don't doubt what you know to be true.
After the weekend, I went to her home to collect her payment. She had a concerned look on her face. What was wrong? Did the unit not work well? Was the installation not what she expected? What could I do to restore the joy she expressed just a few days ago? Just as she was about to write the check, she laid her pen down. "I talked to some people at church Sunday," she explained. "They told me that I could have gotten this done a lot cheaper. I feel like you have taken advantage of me!" The only way she could have hurt me more was to tear my heart out with her bare hands! I felt the lump in my throat. Not from anger or regret. The price was fair and right. It hurt me to think she thought I had done something wrong. The folks she talked to may have meant well, but they didn't have any information! How did they know what she had bought? They didn't know what was involved in the installation! I had even given her a price of a less expensive unit! She had even wanted to look at a higher priced system! I simply explained that I had done the best job for the best price I could. She reluctantly wrote the check. I thanked her and left. I was confident that the unit would serve her very well and even save her some money, but I cried anyway!
She had weighed the options, counted the cost, and made a joyful decision. Why would she listen to someone who had not even seen the product, never studied the options, and had no clue what she wanted or needed? Satan is trying to rob us of our joy in Christ. Paul warned us in 2 Corinthians 2:11"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." One of Satan's devices is to create distrust and doubt! Don't doubt what you know to be true.