Welcome! I had an experience this week that reminded me, once again, of one of the many reasons I love living in the greater Atlantic community.
A giant conglomeration, which shall remain nameless, has been ignoring my correspondence, arguing with me, and refusing to refund a double payment I made. I was double billed; once in April, and again in July. Then I got another bill for the same service in August. I’ve spoken to three representatives, emailed official bank statements, followed up three times via email, with only one response, and still don’t have a refund or any kind of resolution.
It’s maddening!
Contrast this with an experience I had last fall with Car-Mart in Jamestown. I’ve taken my car to Joe Bucholz, the owner, for at least eight years. He’s honest and kind. He doesn’t treat me like an ignorant woman, which I’ve experienced with another local mechanic.
I was stressing about my brake pads. The previous inspection revealed they were worn down almost to the bearings, which would’ve been a $700-plus repair. I just wanted to make sure they were still in good shape.
Joe checked them out, and his receptionist called me to say my car was ready. When I went to the office to get my keys and pay my bill, she told me I didn’t owe anything. Joe said it only took him a minute.
When somebody treats me like this, I’m a customer either for life or until he retires.
So what’s the difference between these two businesses? It’s simple. Joe wants my business. He treats me with respect. We’re part of the same community, and his reputation matters. Word of mouth, good or bad, is the best form of advertisement in my experience.
This mega company couldn’t care less about me as a human being; all they want is my money in exchange for a service. I’m one of hundreds of thousands of customers. What do they care about me?
We may not have booming industries, elite shopping centers, or art museums in the Atlantic community, but we have one thing that I’ve found in short supply in suburbs and cities: People who treat you with neighborly respect.
The Bible says in Proverbs 27:10, “Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.” (NLT)
I hope you’ll permit a quick anecdote on this verse.
While walking one cold March afternoon last year, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. It was a raccoon, standing on its hind legs and rummaging through a pile of mulch near a neighbor’s outbuilding.
It was afternoon; not night. I reached in my pocket for my pepper spray, which I always carry. My hand closed on car keys, not my pepper spray.
Then I noticed movement. The raccoon was running full boar at me. Cold dread rushed through my body. I started to walk faster, praying God would protect me. The nearest house was still a ways off, and I didn’t know if my neighbor was home.
The raccoon was about ten yards away when a familiar gray 4x4 rounded the corner. It was one of my dad’s oldest friends, John. I waved and he stopped. He rolled his window down and started to chastise me for walking in spitting snow.
I interrupted him and said, “John! Don’t leave! There’s a raccoon coming straight for me.” He looked up and fixed his eyes on the ‘coon. “Hold still,” he said. It took every once of self-control I had not to jump into his truck, I can tell you.
“He’s heading toward the woods,” he said. My heart rate started to slow. John hung around for a few more seconds, and made sure I was okay. I speed walked home.
You’ve probably heard that angels guard over us. I firmly believe this. But, that afternoon, my dad’s friend, John, stood in for an angel. I’m sure he spared me a bite from a rabid raccoon.
Again, that’s how people treat each other here. Nobody in a city or suburb would’ve even noticed me, let alone stopped. I’ve thanked God many, many times for John.
I hope these stories reminded you of people and incidents that demonstrate the goodness of people in the Atlantic community.
`` If you’re looking for entertainment, Atlantic Community Church will hold a movie night on Friday, October 2, 2020, at 6 p.m. They plan on holding movie nights the first Friday of every month.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!