I don’t know if you have ever had to try to get something from city government, but it can be a real headache. A simple request often has to go through a lot of red tape, meetings, and mounds of paperwork just to get on the schedule for your request to be heard. So when I called the City of Pittsburgh for a street light to be installed in front of my mother’s house, I expected a long wait. However, I am a person who believes in what I call “the ten person chain of command.” I believe if you plan it right, you usually get whatever you want or need in ten phone calls or less. The first call is the most important call, so it must be carefully chosen, or else the whole thing falls apart and you have to start all over again. Well, this story is about a street light. The road in front of my mother’s house was very dark at night and you couldn’t see your way to her walk unless you were carrying a very bright flashlight. It hadn’t always been that way. One day, the street light was mysteriously taken down. We put up with it for a bit, thinking it would be replaced with a new one, but a new one never came. We heard a rumour that a neighbor was behind the disappearing lamp, however no one was admitting to making the call. So, after my great-aunt moved into the other half of my mother’s duplex, it became apparent that something had to be done. Now, quite elderly, the two had stopped going to evening worship services because they were afraid of falling in the darkness to get into the car.
My first call was to the mayor’s office. Start at the top and work your way down, it’s easier. They put me in touch with the right department and I asked to speak to the person in charge of street lights. To my surprise and delight, the man said, “Speaking,” I politely explained the situation. He then looked it up and told me that a neighbor had complained that the light was shining into her bedroom at night and she couldn’t sleep. (I would have suggested a sleep mask) but the city came and took it down. He gave me the address. I replied, “Well, I don’t think she’ll mind now.” “Why is that?” he asked. “Because she is asleep over at Calvary Cemetery, so I don’t think the light will bother her anymore. Whereas, there are two elderly widows of World War II veterans that would like to go to God’s house in the evening. Could you see your way clear to light their roadway?” He said, “I’ll see what I can do, but I can’t promise anything.”
One week later, we had our street light back in place, and two God-fearing woman went to pray, happy and grateful.
I sent the man a thank you card, because that’s how I was raised. A few days later, he called. I told him all was well. He told me he was touched by my card and he would put it with the others, if he had any. “I have lots of complaint letters, but just one thank you. I am going to keep it on my desk to remind me, that there are people who appreciate what we do.”
And so it was a happy ending to what could have been a frustrating ordeal. Be nice. It saves time.
“Your Word is a lamp to my foot and a light to my roadway.” – Psalms 119: 105.