We stopped to have lunch at Steak 'n' Shake after church. We arrived at the Mooresville location as a party of 8. We waited as is the custom for parties of 5 or more. At one point, the hostess said they were cleaning off two tables by the window, and we'd be seated as soon as it was done. Another young gal sat two different families at the two tables. We waited some more with 6 children.
After we were seated, we waited. Our waitress took about 15 minutes to make it to our table. During that time, we watched this young girl scurry about, clearly stressed about something, and moving with a timid gait at moments. That's when we saw her approach the table. The one where the family was seated with the matriarch and her furrowed brow, pursed lips, and intent to chew. Her words were not heard by us, but it was clear they were unkind. Her thoughts were not about the young girl who was serving their food. She had a problem, and someone was going to have it!
I turned to Jacob, sad for the waitress. She looked late teens to me. Turns out she was only 20. This unkind woman didn't stop at the table side lashing. She took her tromping, standing at the counter with a hand on her hip, family in tow to the front counter. The manager would hear from her again. See, he'd already been to the table with his employee.
Our waitress arrived at our table, apologizing half heartedly, looking a little like she could cry. I said to her, "Breathe. Remember, some people are just plain grumpy and don't enjoy life. That's not your problem." She smiled. We talked a few minutes quietly about her day, how she was feeling, and thanked her for being so sweet to come and take our order after a tough situation. We learned a lot about her during our short interactions. She visited our table often and was sweet to Kyra.
She was 20. Her mama died a year ago, taken by cancer. Her only sibling, a sister 10 years younger, went to live with her own father separating the girls. She said she does get to visit her sister a couple times a week and her face lit up. Our young waitress did not have any idea where her father might be. She had a grandmother. So young, so alone. My heart hurt for her.
She messed up a cheeseburger. The world "let her have it." But Jesus said no! He put in our heart to set aside our lunch to minister to this young girl. Jacob shared words with her as we were loading into the car. He placed a tip in her hand and hopefully a little light in her world. Jesus cares.
Billy Graham. How we will pray for Billy Graham who is 95 years old. This man ministered to millions of people and is the greatest evangelist of his time. He ministered in filled stadiums, in tent style revivals, through books, devotions, speaking engagements, one on one encounters, and I'm sure many more settings. Since we serve the same God, I can't help but know that the same power that thrives in Billy Graham, lives in us too. Even when your cheeseburger is wrong.
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
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