No Answering Service

August 1, 2005 - I desperately needed to make some travel arrangements. I called an airline and heard a man's recorded voice intone, "Due to heavy traffic, we are unable to help you at this time. If you will kindly wait, someone will be with you shortly."

by Ruth Bell Graham

I tried a second airline. After listening to repeated ringing, I heard a female voice say, "Thank you for calling. Due to the increase in calls, there will be a slight delay in answering. To assist us in answering your question ..."

I turned to a third airline only to receive the same noncommittal answering service.

So, I started all over. Each time I got the same response. One time I dialed the wrong number, and who do you suppose answered? You guessed it: an answering service.

Frustrated, I tried to call my husband, who happened to be in Nova Scotia. I instead reached one of his associates who, while not being as satisfactory as my husband, was certainly better than an answering service. He put me in touch with a local travel agent, and my problem eventually was solved.

How grateful we can be that God has no answering service! In fact, He says: "It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24, KJV).