Cold Calls

If salesmen (never saleswomen), jokes exist. Sometimes there is a visual description: sleeves rolled up two turns, a half-loose tie, at worst, a cigar about to drop an ash. The bottom of the barrel is to live on cold calls, the original robocalls of the cell phone where callers hope they can get past, ” I’m _______ from __________and your _____________ is about to expire,” before a door is closed or a phone hung up.

I have a son who has made a living in various types of selling from cars to condos and that is a whole nother ball game of skill and professionalism. He is one of the more successful ones of any offering who has a list of clients who call him instead of the always hustling up buyers. My experience in the field of just getting up and striking out left me knowing I would rather roll over, pull up the covers and eat stale crackers. I tried selling World Books one summer when teacher salaries only covered the nine months actually producing. I came through, yet unscathed is not the descriptive word. Whenever it is time for a “letmetellya” statement to a crowd in front, my heart beats and my mouth get dry.

That reaction was true this Tuesday morning. A totally unthreatening situation of reading some of my blogs was to be the offering at our twice a month gathering of church members of a certain age. We shared life experiences and I looked forward to a moment of fame. Then the sweater started to unravel. A respected member of the work staff died and those who would be my backup were called to be support elsewhere. Part of the group I had counted on to be a cheering squad went to the funeral. Near starting time only 15 game playing early comers were in the room. Not heavy sweating, but a healthy glow built up. Then the cavalry started to arrive, finding chairs and facing in my direction. I took a deep breath, called up a smile, and created what I hoped was a welcoming beginning. A slight chuckle called up another. The listeners became one with me. I sold the morning. Whew!

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 8:21