Interesting
“Is it okay if I call and try to figure this out?” I asked my husband.
“I figure you can,” was the response.
The configuration wasn’t adding up—go figure. Another bill had been paid yet, the interest charges kept coming and it was all becoming very interesting. So, I dialed the 800 number and asked what the deal was and how come there was no deal when all of the purchases had been paid in full.
“But you aren’t paying the bill in full. You are only making partial payments,” said Felix on the other end of the line in a place far away.
I explained that the bill had been paid each month—but the powers that be didn’t see it that way.
“The checks have been sent on time and there is no reason why they should be charging interest,” came the adamant rebuttal listening in.
“Can you go back and check when this all started?” I asked Felix as he had all of the information before him. According to the records, the payment arrived safe and sound but the problem was that when the payment due on December 21 had arrived on December 22. Apparently the bill payer hadn’t taken into account the extra time needed over the holidays which often included bad weather. And, the big guys weren’t going to be the nice guys.
Multiply the added interest over many months and well—it was interesting to say the least. And—the bill payer was digging in his heels rather than into his checkbook and we were at a standstill. After clarification, Felix understood why our bills looked as though they had not been paid in full. It was because they were adding the interest each month and ap-plying the payment to it before payment of the purchases.
After listening for a while, the bill payer suddenly realized what had happened and the lights went on for both parties involved. “Any grace?” I begged.
“Grace,” said Felix. “Let’s see what I can do.” Several moments passed and he offered a $35 dollar rebate on the interest for the past two months. As we realized we had a part to play in all of this, we accepted the offer.
“However,” he continued. “There will be one more month of interest charges for this next month because of the billing cycle. After that you will have a zero balance. Plus, the $35 dollars I gave you credit for will more than pay for it.
“Let me understand this. You gave a credit for $35 to cover these last two months, but now you are saying that over half of that will be for the month coming up which is not yet accounted for on our account?”
“Yes,” said Felix. And it became quite clear that the world in which he worked and the one in which we live were worlds apart.
The fact remains that we did owe it and there was no getting around it. After making our way through the muddle, we were both thankful not only for Felix who helped us see more clearly, but now more grateful than ever that Jesus who died for all our mistakes charges no interest. We are thankful He paid our debt in full, and are beyond blessed to know there will be no late fee—ever.
Col. 2:13 says, “God made alive having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” It’s an automatic credit on our account with no penalties and in this our hope. Amen.
