Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Confused (05/21/26)
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TITLE: Funny Money Business | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
05/27/26 -
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My local bank had not yet progressed to drive-up ATMs. It was necessary to park near the automated teller machine and stand on the sidewalk in line with others who needed some ready cash.
At first, I was the solo customer. As per the usual procedure, I slipped my debit card into the familiar slot, entered the correct numbers and amount needed from my account, and waited. Nothing happened.
The fact that I was in a rush carried no weight with the inner workings of whatever mysterious computer process was programmed to spit out twenties and a receipt at my request.
I tried again.
Nothing.
In frustration, I grumbled with a little too much intensity and unnecessary volume, “Come on! Come on! Don’t do this. I need to go. HURRY!”
Suddenly, the sweet but slightly agitated voice of an Asian-sounding woman answered me.
“Hold your horses! I’m working as fast as I can.”
Huh?
With no hesitation I responded, "Are you a real person?”
She snapped, “Of course I’m real. Who do you think reloads this thing every day with cash?”
The prescribed steps in the currency loading process for money-challenged customers at the curb had never occurred to me.
Having seen the security guys in armored trucks parked next to the outside drive-up machines at other banks, I assumed it involved some kind of automatic transfer from a big vault in the bank’s inner sanctum.
Simply standing idle with no buttons to punch finally compelled me to keep chatting as I waited for the refill.
Now, sufficiently contrite, I apologized.
” I’m so sorry I was needlessly impatient, but I have to get to school to pick up my son.”
Her voice took on an empathetic tone.
“I understand, but I have to follow the rules and do this correctly, or this convenience will not be available for you.”
She was right. There was no contrived obstruction here meant to throw monkey wrenches in anyone’s busy day, only a person doing her job.
This tête-à-tête must have been confusing to the ones behind me who had no idea I was speaking with a genuine, live person, only that I seemed to be having an apparent full-blown conversation with an inanimate object in a brick wall.
In a few minutes, the hidden money-replacer said with the tiniest giggle, “Don’t give up on me. I’m almost finished.”
Very soon, she made her most welcome announcement.
“Okay. All systems go. You may proceed. Have a great day.”
I answered, “Thanks for all your work. You have a nice day too!”
Quickly, I retrieved the legal tender and turned to face the puzzled line of customers, most of whom had no clue exactly what had just transpired. The person directly behind me rolled her eyes and managed to make a short but rather pithy comment.
“Well, that was certainly enlightening,” and then she moved forward, reassured that fresh green cash was only one secret number away.
The timing and personal banter with that dear lady who was concealed behind the automatic teller machine highlighted a new awareness of the creeping loss of person-to-person interaction in the perplexing world of techno-connections.
It was a reminder to me to try harder to exhibit less frustration when life gets a bit sideways, and instead, fine-tune my ears to hear the Main Voice—God’s. That’s where peace resides and encourages us to stop reacting to petty annoyances. It’s about learning to stay quiet for a few minutes in the midst of chaos or uncertainty until harmony is restored. A sense of humor helps.
That long-ago ATM encounter happened just before cell phones began to rule our every waking moment. The takeaway is still true.
In the face of an unexpected, confusing situation, it’s better to stay calm and talk to the Lord and sometimes to another human being--not a robot. Who knew?
____
*non-fiction
Proverbs 18: 21 (NKJV)
Your tongue has the power of life and death. Those who love to talk will eat the fruit of their words.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT)
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.
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I had that happen a long time ago and it came as a complete shock.
It is a great reminder that God always knows what we are thinking and the intentions of our hearts and we need to seek him.