I have never been a waitress nor have I ever worked in the food industry. However, I have had many friends and family members who have and I have heard most, if not all of them say that working on Sunday was the worst day of all to work. Not only are you usually missing church and family time yourself but the people that you are serving on Sunday are for the most part rude, unappreciative, and not so generous at tipping. Now, let's think about this for a second. Who would the majority of the crowd eating out on a Sunday be? You guessed it, the church folks! So I am pretty much saying that "Christians" have one of the worst reputations in the restaurant community! Encouraging, huh!
Today as Graham, Wells, Katherine (sister), and I were driving home from N.C. we popped into Kannapolis and dined at the local Wendy's. Usually when we travel we are extremely healthy eaters and almost always enjoy burgers, fries, and other healthy treats! :) So today our greasy pallets landed us at Wendy's. Katherine and I got in line and sent Wells and Graham to the table. And boy were we lucky because within a matter of minutes we learned that we had picked the most popular spot amongst the Kannapolis locals. How could we tell you ask...well, almost all of them were dressed in their Sunday's finest...and almost all of them seemed to know one another. The time was also 12:15 and because I am so smart I figured the crowd had just left church. I mean to tell you the line was to the door. And unfortunately the line was rather slow-moving due to a shortage of Wendy's staff. However, the people that were working were friendly and did their best to provide a big bacon classic with a smile. After a rather lengthy wait we got our food and sat down. Just as I was about to dive into my cheeseburger an older gentlemen dressed in a suit approached his table of about 7 people. As he handed the food to the other members of his party he said "I asked them why in the world they didn't have 2 registers opened. I also told them that their service was horrible!" The people at his table seemed to applaud him and they began eating, after saying their blessing of course. Being the awesome people watchers that we are Graham, Katherine, and I observed the whole thing. Graham actually said these very words, "This is why Christians have such a bad reputation!" And I have to be honest...the situation left me somewhat disgusted. I mean first of all what kind of service was he expecting for his 99 cent hamburger and senior coffee? As we drove down I-85 I found myself having a conversation with this gentleman in my head: "Hello sir! I hope you enjoyed your morning of worship! I also hope you are enjoying your lunch that these kind folks prepared for you. You know, they did not go to church this morning. Who knows, the lady that took your order could be working to pay for heat to warm the apartment that she and her baby live in. I don't know, the guy flipping your burger could be working his way through college. And the manager that you complained to may be struggling to make ends meat but is working extra hours to provide Christmas for her family. And here's a thought sir, what if you are the only example of church those people got to see today! I don't know...doesn't really seem as if you have much of the Christmas spirit that I am sure your minister preached about this very morning!"
Come on people! Please get with the program here. We are supposed to be salt of the earth and light of the world. Can people see your light?
A Christmas charge: if Jesus lives in your heart...let's see it! If you truly REJOICE in his birth, let's see some joy!
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
And now, Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
