Lockdown 216

Lockdown Day 216 - 28 October 2020

The fun fact about fantasy and reality sparked a couple of ideas in me while I was navigating the internet, searching for non-slip stair treads. At first I got all excited when I saw the long list of results, perfect pictures and all.  

Armed with saved screenshots and telephone numbers added to my diary, I started calling down the list. This was the fantasy part, pre-choosing my favourite design and colour, affordable prices, etc. How easy could it be, I thought. Online is the new thing. It's time I tried it out. 

Well, after phoning one supplier after the other my fantasy turned into a reality. Some of them had answering machines stating their email address and some of them were only accessible via their websites. Others' phone numbers just disconnected upon calling.  After all that, only one replied on my emails, informing me they do not carry stock I can come and view. Up to now they have not replied my question about return policies and payment.

After taking a break, I returned to my PC with new ideas, searching for south African stores where I could physically go and view the product, changing my search lingo to more industrial keywords. Nominating a couple of companies that looked legit, I started with the bottom one, and bingo! A person actually answered the Jo'burg number. And he said he might have what I'm looking for. Well well. We will visit them in the near future. 

This is where my information traffic (imagination) definitely flowed in an opposite direction of the reality. Despite the fact that I voiced my frustration with the companies I did manage to speak to, such as flooring and carpet experts (they sounded like I was asking for a ton of gold coins), I could hear they were not in the least interested in my sorry opinion of not finding what I was looking for. (Builders offered a sticker so coarse, my feet will have to be bandaged if I ever tried walking on those strips).

Question after question ran through my mind: Is it just European people and pets who risk slipping on stairs? Why is stair-safety only important for big buildings and not houses? How does a company who calls itself an expert, not even know what I'm talking about? And how has no-one ever come up with a LOCAL solution? Why are the only companies who sell the carpet type treads abroad? Does anyone still want to actually see the product they buy anymore? 

I came to the conclusion our world has adopted the internet of things as the norm. Gone is personal service, customer satisfaction, etc. Those adverts really are just more lies mixed with half truths. 

I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving to our God who is a hands-on personal God, who does not promise in half truths and fairy dust. He is Truth, and we can trust Him no matter what. I also repent for not asking Him first where I would find those treads. He is, after all, my Leader and my Teacher. 

And He's got this.