Last Friday, I began the battle. We had 20 boxes of Christmas presents to mail. I put a sticky note on each, the address carefully copied onto each one from my address file. Then, I gathered the mail scale, my laptop, my credit card and the tape dispenser. I was ready to take on the USPS click-and-ship app and make it dance.

I entered the information for the first four packages (size, weight, etc) and appropriate addresses. Because I hadn’t used the click-and-ship app before (John had done the work in past years), I stopped and made the purchase for those four packages. It was so easy. The labels were paid for, printed and pasted; those boxes were good to go. Sweet!!

Time to get serious. But nothing worked. I tried over the next two days to get the rest of the packages paid for through the USPS app – no joy! The system wouldn’t take credit cards A or B. It took credit card C but refused to print the label – $20 lost in the ether. John tried the app from his computer – nada. Nothing would work.

So today I packed up the remaining 16 boxes and a luggage cart. I parked the car in the parking lot in front of the post office and loaded up my luggage cart. My cart overfilled and I had to use the handicap ramp to get it into the building. People stared at me. I walked slowly to let them run ahead – that seemed the fair thing to do!

My phone was fully charged and I had my earbuds ready in case I had to wait an hour or more.

But, the lobby only had 5 people ahead of me in line. I waited a mere 20 minutes before “Marlon” was calling me to his counter. He was super friendly and super efficient. He got my 16 boxes ready to go in less that 15 minutes. I was so surprised and happy. It was quick, efficient, and, I must admit, pleasant!

It’s true, the project involved more trouble that I expected. But if click-and-ship had worked, I wouldn’t have met Marlon; and he was a delightful professional doing his job efficiently, never losing his sense of humor nor his smile. I am glad I got to see him do his job with such grace.

When a stumbling block appears in your path, look around. You might get to meet some great people or see something amazing.

Just a thought,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.” Psalm 37:7-9