Just the Fax

At 3pm the phone rang. Irate, I lifted the receiver and then hung up without even answering, exactly like I had two or three times a day for the past several months. Nothing stopped the endless, annoying fax-machine calls; not notifying my phone company, not screaming into the phone, not even my desperate prayers.

After hanging up the phone on this particular day, I groaned a groan that could be heard deep in the woods of my back yard, startling untold birds, bunnies and other wildlife.

“Brittany and Maxine’s parents changed their phone numbers.” My daughter Emily dragged a mini-carrot across a pool of ranch dressing, then took a bite.

“Well, I’m not changing our phone number.” I crossed my arms in a huff. Why should I have to change my phone number?

Emily wiped her mouth with a napkin. “We’re probably going to have to do the same thing.”

“Um, no.”

“Then, I guess they’re just going to keep calling us,” she shrugged her shoulders.

Refusing to even consider surrender, I walked into the family room and plopped into our leather recliner to think. There has to be a way to stop these incessant fax-machine calls. This cannot be legal. I can’t take it anymore!
Suddenly, inspiration struck. Throwing caution to the wind, I grabbed my phone, pushed buttons until I located the last received call, then hit redial.

Ring. Ring.

“Hello, you’ve reached the Blah Blah Answering Service Company. If you’d like to stop receiving our automated calls, please press 7.”

I caught my breath—stunned. Could it possibly be this easy to stop the three-month long fax machine torment at our house?

It was.

No more calls. And it was just that simple.

This got me to thinking. How many times have we endured provocation from the enemy without calling it to a stop? How many times have we allowed our number to be dialed and picked up that receiver in complete and utter aggravation?

Sure, we can pray. We must pray.

But sometimes action is required. Sometimes we need a little Holy Ghost gumption. And sometimes it’s just as simple as talking to the enemy.

“No, devil. No, you may not continue harassing me, my husband, my children and my health. I am putting down my foot and I am running interference with your little call campaign.”

It’s just that simple. And that’s the fax.

“So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (Amplified Bible)


13 comments:

Kelly said...

"Just the fax." Love it! Love the pun, love the story, love the analogy. Great post!

You all packed for She Speaks yet? LOL! I'm so excited for you still. Can't wait to read all about it later this summer.

Julie said...

Great post.... Loved it!

I found you from Tiffany's blog (Tea With Tiffany).

It's nice to meet you.

Hope you'll stop by for a visit. I love meeting new people!

B His Girl said...

Is that line from Dragnet? I love the way you made your point with just the fax, Mam. Sometimes it is our move. Remember what God said to Moses at the Red Sea, something like this..."Why are you crying out to me? Move it!" Well that's B's version but the fax were the same. It was his move. This post makes me think about what God is doing with me now. Maybe it is my move. Thanks Julie. I will ponder this. B

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Just that simple.

I wish it was easier to apply. Thanks for the great visual. I'll keep it with me for the days ahead.

peace~elaine

Billy Coffey said...

Wow. Truth be told, I would have been dumb enough to change my phone number. Just like I'm dumb enough to struggle with attacks from the enemy without calling God.

I'm gonna have to work on that.

I love this illustration!

Rachel Beran said...

Love the visual. Thank you.

If we could only remember that the power that resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead is the same power that lives in us!!!

Have a blessed day. Thanks for sharing.

Melanie said...

Ohhhhh....this is good, Julie!

Lori said...

Stop by my blog when you have a chance. =)

Melinda said...

Love this post! :) I did it this morning ... gave Satan the whatfor. I'm letting my Warrior take it from there.

Amy Deardon said...

Julie, what a simple and profound illustration! Thank you -- I will ponder this and remember when I need to...

Heather - On the Road... said...

Wow, oh wow!
How good. Thank you for the illustration, and for sharing the way you did. Made your point come home - and God used it. I heard Him clearly.

Time to stand, and hit that redial button, and stop the incoming calls.

God bless,
Heather

Carolee Hollenback said...

Coming at you from Bloggers Connect

http://bloggersconnect.blogspot.com/

Great post!I will have to stay on the line with some of these aggravating people (and recordings)and see if there's a way to opt-out of these calls.

I usually ignore the phone if I know it's "one of those". My 17 mo. old grandson freaks if he hears it ringing & no one answers- yelling,"Get it, Get it!" He doesn't understand I do not want to talk to these people!

Kelly L said...

Great great analogy...love it. and so very true...

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