Passion

Galatians 1

Over the years, I've found that the time to write creatively is when I'm feeling very passionate about
something. And, after today, I must admit, passion was raging through my veins. So, time to write ...
Those who know me, know that I'm a very passionate person. In and of itself, passion is not a bad thing, but
can be used or abuse/overused as a bad thing. Today, my passion seemed to bring me to that line once again --
and, I hope that I didn't overstep that line this time. In my daily doings, I had got online to reconcile my bank
account once again (nearly a daily thing for our house). This time, though, there was a surprise waiting for me.
The surprise was an $18.00 charge to NSS Women's Day. Since I had not recently subscribed to the magazine,
it came as quite a shock. So, I quickly looked up Women's Day subscription phone number and dialed away.
"Tracy" politely told me, "Oh, your subscription is through the subscription agency NewSub Services. We
are not affiliated with them, but I can give you their number and address." Which she did.
After a few failed attempts to reach NSS, I finally got through and was greeted with an automated recording
that asked me almost immediately for my credit card number. And, don't worry, I didn't give it! But, I tried
again to reach a person ... this time by pushing the almighty "0." A young man was reached ... who, again,
almost immediately asked for my credit card number. And, though, he had my name and address, he, a young
man employed by the company that had just debited my credit card, said that my card number was not being
brought up. Nonetheless, I did not give him my card number, but took the next step and called my bank.
In fact, I drove the 8 miles up the road to the bank and spoke with Chuck. Chuck was very polite and helpful.
It was from him that I found out the bank had been debited through my CLOSED credit card (closed in April --
many months before now, being September). He was as appalled as I was that someone was able to take money
from my account through a closed credit card (closed due to internet theft). I should note here, that it is
interesting that the only time I ever used that credit card on the internet was to pay a year's subscription to
Classmates.com, which also came with a year's subscription to my choice magazines of Women's Day and
Martha Stewart. Anyway, Chuck did some investigation and found that the credit card had been denied once,
and then put back through with an "authorization" code to "conveniently" allow me to re-subscribe ... though, I
had not asked for it! He couldn't understand that someone could have access to my account by way of my closed
credit card, and asked the persons on the phone many questions for me. Chuck also gave me another number he
was given to reach NSS. Though he had been very helpful and polite, I left the bank still agitated because he
told me that I would not be refunded for another week or so. My passion was raging ... it was not over ... the fat
lady had not sung yet!
I went home as quickly as I could and reached for the phone ... only to find that the number Chuck had given
me wouldn't even ring! So, I called Chuck ... he tried unsuccessfully as well. He was very apologetic, and
suggested I call Women's Day again. This I did, reaching "Tracy" once again. Tracy was given the growing
story again. She, too, did her best to help ... search for phone numbers, anything that would get me closer to
resolution. And, though she took my number and story to give to her supervisor, it was not resolved. My
passion was boiling. So, after attempting the numbers again ... this time I went to Visa online to find a number
for credit card fraud. In so doing, the website for BBB of Connecticut (where NSS is) was found, and I filed a
report. Finally, a phone number for credit card fraud at my bank was found! So, I called. This is when the pot
over-boiled!
I called the number, expecting to find another compassionate person. But, compassionate is not a word I'd
used. She actually laughed at me! She told me that what I experienced had nothing to do with fraud, but rather
"normal" business transactions! By this time, you could say, rather than passionate, I was outraged! I told her
that it was unethical business transactions because I had NOT re-subscribed and had no intent to do so ... in fact,
I didn't have any information other than Classmates.com (again, "unaffiliated") on whom I had subscribed
through the year before, and, therefore, no way to correspond. Since I had only subscribed and paid for a year, I
felt that "business" had beeb taken care of, and no further correspondence was necessary anyway ... just as with
all my other magazine subscriptions over the years. Nonetheless, she gave the phone call over to her supervisor
"Justin" who also felt I was being silly. Let me remind you here that I was now talking to representatives of my
bank! Justin again reminded me that it was neither "unethical" nor "fraudulent," but, rather, "normal business."
Then, he went on to say something that floored me, "We are not 'affiliated' with NSS," he said, as though I
thought they might be (at that point it hadn't even cross my mind), "but, since they 'advertise with us' often, I am
able to call through to NSS directly and allow you to speak with someone about this." There it was! How did
someone charge my bank account through a closed credit card?! Because they 'affiliated' with my bank
(whether Justin said so or not) by doing business and advertising with them! I pretended to ignore the comment
so that I could take this to completion with the NSS representative he was now connecting me with, but my
passion temperature was soaring. Cindy then came on the line to say that she had just "cancelled my
subscription and has input info to refund" my account.
Finally, I would be refunded. But, injustice was done, so my "justice" meter was still imbalanced ... I could
no longer hold my tongue. "Cindy, how could you work for such an unethical company?" I asked. From there I
went on to explain my difficult week (including having just gone through surgery with my son -- leaving out the
fact that it was oral surgery), and that her company was doing this to many just like me who were doing
everything to make ends meet and were barely making it (leaving out the fact that the amount didn't break me
and that we would still eat this week and pay our bills). I told her that I hope she begins working for an ethical
company and thanked her for her assistance in my situation. Cindy was quiet, hardly saying a word. I could tell
my words not only were heard, but had struck her deeply.
Now I sit remembering Rashod. Remember his story? He was our Walmart cashier that I had encouraged
because he was doing such a wonderful job. He was the one that reminded me that God uses His chosen in
others lives. And, I had prayed I had been used for the good in Rashod's life. But, what about Cindy? Yes, I
believe God used me in her life, but, will she think back to that moment as "for the good?" I doubt it. My words,
though fairly quiet, seemed to sting her. God will use things for good for those that are His chosen, and is using
this moment in her life. But, was it out of my misplaced passion? Was it a time that will sting her so deeply she
cannot move on? I don't know. I pray not. I pray that God will use it to help shape her into a person that wants
to serve Him more and more. But, if He does, it won't be because of my glorious example, it will be out of His
mercy.
"Passion." What is it anyway? According to the MSN Encarta dictionary, "passion" is:
1. christianity Suffering of Jesus Christ: the sufferings of Jesus Christ from the Last Supper until his
crucifixion
2. bible story of Jesus Christ’s suffering: any of the accounts of the Passion in the Gospel, or a musical work
based on one of these
When I searched for "passion" on Bible Gateway, the many first verses brought up actually had the word
"compassion" in them. That stung. What compassion had I shown Cindy today? Ouch. But, as I continued my
search for the word "passion," I finally found it on the second page. Where? In a place that reminded me once
again of the sufferings of Christ (not misplaced passion).
Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty
days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
The word "passion" here is "pascho" in Greek. It means, when used as a primary verb, "to experience a
sensation or impression (usually painful):--feel, passion, suffer, vex."

The next verses with "passion" in them, also pricked my heart:

Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that
ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all
things that are therein:
James 5:17
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained
not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Passionate men, using their passion for God. Had I done so today? No, not likely. But, now I know why God
reminded me that I write best when I'm passionate ... He had a lesson for me to learn as I wrote and researched.
Jude 1:22
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
by Michelle Pearson, 17 Oct 2003