Rotor Dilemma
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
Last Saturday I was working on the brakes on my car. I dropped off the rotors at a local mechanic’s shop, and the man at the counter told me it would take about an hour to turn them. Perfect, I thought. I could finish my errands, return to pick up the rotors, finish the brake job, and be ready to enjoy the rest of the weekend by noon.
But when I returned an hour later, I was told they hadn’t been able to do the work at this shop, and my rotors had been sent to another shop across town. The mechanic apologized for the inconvenience and promised he would have his driver drop them off at my house for no additional cost. I thanked him, telling him this would save me a thirty-minute drive through town.
At six o’clock that evening, the phone rang. Shop #2 informed me that my rotors had been there most of the afternoon, and that if I wanted them delivered to my home, it would cost $25. Excuse me? Now two broken promises had cost me most of my Saturday.
The situation made me think: How many times have I failed to keep my word…and consequently inconvenienced someone?
How important it is to be sure the promises we make can be kept! It sure is easier to make promises than to keep them, but our word and our honor are at stake. Better that we are known for making few promises and keeping them—than the other way around.
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22 (NIV)