Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Helpful Intentions Upsetting

“It is infuriating.”

That response came following e-mail to a customer who’d just slammed the telephone receiver in our ear.

The remark shadowed accusations of “stepping across the line” to make contact with the rancher.

It’s true, we are persistent. But, it is our job. Following philosophy of another, we were “Taking care of  business,” or TCB.

Of course, taken back by the comment, we delved into reasoning behind it, if justified, and if anything was “infuriating” to us.

On the forefront, it didn’t seem so, but others in six decades might argue that due to our instinctive flightiness when something needed to be done right, and wasn’t. Maturity has eased such rashness, some.

But, when at “our best,” doing our job, situations admittedly do arise which can become “angering,” “annoying,” “enflaming,” “enraging,” “exasperating,” “galling,” “irritating,” “riling,” or even “vexatious,” one of Daniel Webster’s definitions.

Certainly, we remember our college judging coach remarking: “That makes my blood boil,” after we’d busted (completely mixed up placing) a class of Hereford bulls at a major contest.

Not to bedraggle nor belittle the subject, “our way” is to fill in the background. As always, we proposed a like-promotions campaign, following with several unanswered calls, because people today often know who’s on the other end, and sometimes don’t want to answer.

Finally, an e-mail came: “We don’t want any. Sorry.” Not replying spontaneously, we later visited the headquarters, found nobody home, and left printed materials. After numerous unreciprocated follow-up phone attempts, husband picked up.

Surprised, we said, “Sorry to bother you,” and his reply: “You don’t care do you Frank?,” and “bang” the receiver. Instantly, we sent the e-mail, with agitated-comeback, from spouse adding: “I don’t have time to babysit your ego.” Stunned, we dispatched: “Thanks for responding. Most sincerely.”

Real Problem might actually be: We do Care. “We want to help others, as we’ve been assisted. We offer an opportunity with very high potential return,” most gut-felt honestly.

And, we’re not going to stop TCB to help others. We will, without question, although attempting it most congenially, and definitely not “infuriating.”

Reminds us of Isaiah 10:6: “I am against infuriating people.” So, Psalm 38:1: “To prevent upsetting and hasty punishment.” Then, Esther 9:29: “Calming letters must go out.” Most importantly, First Timothy 6:18: “All good comes in helping others.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

The Latest: