Some Assembly Required
Three words that can strike terror in the heart of man. And woman, for that matter. Especially if you are a young father assembling toys on Christmas Eve. Or an older adult who didn’t grow up in the techie world we live in.
Earlier this summer, the cable company told us we needed to install a digital device. We ordered two. They came. Put the box on a shelf. Forgot about it.
But on the designated date, the television reverted to a notification screen. I don’t remember the message, but it amounted to—if you can read this, you forgot to install your new device.
Busted.
I had to go out of town that evening, so I left the installation to my husband. When I returned he had both digital devices hooked up, ready to go online and boost the signal. The instructions said to wait forty-five minutes, and if the television turned off, turn it back on. We waited an hour. The television turned off twice. We went to bed.
The next morning we turned the thing back on. Still no reception. Better call them, my husband said, and left for work.
I called. Got one of those computerized smiley voices. You know the ones. “Sure, I can help you with that. Just move in front of your television where you can see all the connections, and I’ll troubleshoot for you.”
One problem. The telephone was connected to the wall and the television was across the room.
I hung up.
Later my son came by. I explained the problem. He had me call again while he stood at the television. The cable lady—a real live human being with a sense of humor—found the problem and within five minutes we had our limited basic cable channels up and running. She even gave us twenty dollars credit for our trouble.
I’m so glad God finished the job when he made man. In Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV) the Psalmist writes: “For you formed my inward parts. You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
No assembly required. Praise God.
As for the cable company? In yesterday’s mail, the cable bill informed us the price is going up. I ask you, how much can eight basic channels be worth? Time to shop around.