Remember the phone network commercial where a caller with a cellular pressed to his ear moves from place to obscure place and asks, “Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now?” Marketing strategists undoubtedly had survey or focus group data to prove that cellular customers value clear and uninterrupted reception, no matter where they’re calling from.

How about the one that shows various customers screaming in anguish when they receive their (unexpectedly high) bill? Again – bet there’s more data that shows they want reasonable monthly rates with no big surprise surcharges. (And who doesn’t?)

Last week, all I wanted was voice mail.

I’ve been a cell phone user for three years, but I seldom leave it on to receive calls. I’ve mostly used it for calling out. I figured I was as available to the world-at-large as I wanted to be. But now that my hours are more erratic and my office less established, voice mail seemed like a good option to activate.

At least until I tried.

Yes, the provider confirmed, I did have voice mail on my account. It could be activated using the phone itself and a few simple directions from the network’s Web site.

Not so fast, I discovered. The Web site instructions didn’t produce the result I was looking for. No deal. I waited for a “prompt” option that said “speak to a Company-x customer service representative.” There wasn’t one.

I tried calling (with their own phone) the company. No deal. I visited a nearby retail location. One hour and fifteen minutes later (with them calling their own customer service center), no deal. At one point the very young and cheerful employee who was trying to help suggested a trip to the juice bar next door for what he called “a calming smoothie.” When I returned with my smoothie in hand, he shook his head and said, “I’ve e-mailed my manager, but I think you should take it to the local service center/super store on Monday and see if they can do it.”

So on Monday, I did. And the very nice man who waited on me there went through the same routine without success. I could re-add voice mail for $1.99 a month, he said, and perhaps circumvent the snag. When he heard my exaggerated sigh, he offered to call again.

As he stood (on hold) waiting for another rep to answer, it hit me. Pray, silly. Just pray. So silently, I did. And in a matter of seconds (I am not kidding) he punched a couple of numbers, smiled, handed me my phone and said “You’re all set.” Then, almost under his breath, he said “God is so good.”

Three hours, one calming smoothie, ten miles and three service people later, I had prayed. (And he might have, too.)

I’m not sure, but I think I heard my Father saying “Can you hear me now, Leigh? Can you hear me now?”

Loud and clear.

“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NASB)

© Leigh McLeroy 2004