I sure wasn’t expecting that one! Things like that only happen in those crazy testimonies that people share to encourage others, not to someone ordinary like me! But Maybe that us the point, maybe God is trying to teach me something. Maybe He is wanting to show me that the things I consider abnormal are really suppose to be the norm. I am not to sure, but either way, this was a crazy and miraculous experience for me!
For the past three years I have been employed at a small restaurant and in the last year I have been a manager at the same restaurant. With that said, I have seen many reoccurring faces come in and out of the doors. Some order the exact meal each time with the exact same drink, some come in just out of a routine and some just come and sit and sip on some good ole sweet tea. These people have seen me start the job as a server and busser and move up to become a cashier and then get promoted to a manager. Some of these people have heard my entire testimony and have even watch it unfold. To say I have built a relationship with my guest is an understatement. But there are the few who have come in and I have missed the opportunity to grow friendships with. That is the case for the family I am about to tell you about.
Growing up from 6th grade all the way to 12th grade I was heavily involved in the youth at one of the local churches in my area. There was a family there who also was heavily involved in serving the very youth I was a part of. Never did I actually engage a personable conversation with these two people. Although I would see them in church, in public and even at my own work place, I never stopped to think that maybe God has placed these people in my life for a reason. This family has been going into McAlister’s Deli probably before the time I even considered working there. They witnessed me get the job, they where there when I left for a yearlong internship and there were there when I returned to work again.
This day was a day like any other Thursday. I was the chosen one to be the closing manager for the night and dreading the idea of even working. Knowing that I was leaving in less than 5 months for the World Race, the last thing I wanted to do was waste my time working at the place I’ve been for the past few years. All I want to do with my time is make the most of the relationships I have with my friends and dig even deeper into what God has for me in these next few months. Not work! But who am I to choice what is right for me? You can probably guess that I was getting pretty tired of my job and was just extremely eager to be on the World Race already. Selfish me, right? Of course, the Lord always finds a way too humble me when I am being selfish.
Here I am, the manager on duty, cleaning tables and putting on a fake smile just to pass the time. Thinking, contemplating and stressing about how I am going to raise the rest of my funds. Then like a “might rushing wind,” God intervenes to humble all the complaining out of me! During the “oh so tedious” process of whipping a not so dirty table off, I hear a very simple question that I never thought could change my entire night. “Oh, you’re a manager now?” Unsure who was actually asking the question because I was completely blinded by my own thoughts, I looked up and said with a smile, “Yes, have been for a year now.” To my surprise it was the family from my old youth, the family who has been here since I started this job. All of a sudden peace rushed over me and I was comforted by the understanding God was at work. The father of the family then asked, “So, are you making a career out of it?” Knowing I had to share with him what God was doing in my life, I responded with, “Oh no no, my career is on the mission field! This is just temporary!”
I am sure the entire family could see and hear the seriousness of my response in the air. My open response led to a conversation of all that God is doing with preparing me for the World Race. Which I then got the opportunity to explain the World Race and my calling into the mission field across the nations. Needless to remind you, I am still on duty at work during this entire exchange. Handing over my beautifully designed prayer cards with all the countries and my blog information on it; the grandfather of the family made a decision to pray for me right then and there! “Yes, please pray for me! I do not care how many people are in this restaurant watching!” Right there, at that moment, God showed up in the middle of my shift ready to impress me even more!
But that is not all! After a little more conversing about missions and church and ministry the obvious, God’s goodness. God showed up once again… actually I don’t think He ever left. But you know what I mean. Right as I was about to leave and take away their dishes and say our goodbyes. Holy Spirit compelled the grandfather to tip me. McAlister’s employees typically do not accept tips because we all get paid above the tip wage (whatever that means.) This was no ordinary tip, it wasn’t one of those crumpled up tips left on a dirty table, kind of tip. NO! it was a crisp, smell fresh, ONE HUNDRED DOLLOR BILL! This dude just straight up handed me $100 as a donation for the World Race while I was working at the job I want to quite so passionately and he prayed for me in public! Praise the Lord!
The day I got a $100 tip, changed my entire perspective and allowed me to see the way God provides in a whole new spectrum.
Shout out to PJ and his amazing Family! Thank you for the encouragement, prayer and donation. God bless you and your family!
