Dear Damon,
I prayed for you. I asked God “what do you have for me today?” as we sat in Midland Station coffee shop in Gainesville, GA. The Lord laid you on my heart before I even knew anything about you. He said “I want you to buy a meal for a stranger in front of you. No matter how much. Or to-go. Just do it. The water bottle you bring is more than a drink.” I wrote this down in my journal and knew in my spirit you would come sometime that day.
You see, we had been at training camp for almost two weeks and we got the opportunity to go into Gainesville to activate what we had been learning all week. We got to go as a team, with a water bottle in hand to give away. Some people might think that’s a small gesture, but we were expectant that the Holy Spirit would work in mighty ways in conversation with the people we were praying for.
Each member of my sweet team had also prayed for who they should meet. It was so cool to check in with each woman and ask who they were looking for and to see the Lord deliver.
After almost all of us had found “their person” we decided to get dinner so we could talk to more people before we had to go. This is where we met! We went to dinner with a couple teams at Colligate burger. It has been open and running since 1947! It was such a CUTE diner; with the red and white leather chairs, booths, and accents on the floor. Just picture a very (well kept) traditional diner!
Our team sat in the back at a couple pulled together tables so we could be out of the way and spend quality time together. That’s when we first saw you! You were trying to go to the bathroom, but it was locked. One of our squad-mates, Bradley, asked how you were doing.
You didn’t say much, or make eye contact, or didn’t dare to smile. I knew when I saw you in your dirty baggy jeans and white t-shirt that you were the one I got to buy dinner for.
I asked you if I could buy you dinner, and you said, with your head down “oh no, you don’t need to do that” so I asked again if I could do that for you. You finally said yes but said you would sit far away from us. You said, “I know y’all wouldn’t want to be near me so I’ll eat over here”. After hearing that come out of your mouth I laughed and said “that’s absolutely silly” as you walked to a far off booth.
I chased you down in the restaurant and assured you that you were wanted to be around.
I then asked Summer to take your order. Whatever you wanted was on me. You looked at me with eyes of disbelief. I assured you that I had the bill, then you ordered food. A cheeseburger with everything on it, except for your tomatoes on the side, fries, and a coke. You told me thank you a multitude of times. I gladly sat there with you but you continued to gasped with disbelief that I would buy you a meal.
I went back to sit with my friends but the second I arrived back at my table I knew it wasn’t the right place for me in that moment. Let me tell you Damon… the Holy Spirit pulled my heart back to you. I already knew I was supposed to buy your food, but then He challenged me to spend a meal with you.
I asked if I could eat with you and you just shook your head no while looking in your lap. You looked up at me and just asked “why would you went to sit with me?” with questioning eyes. That’s when I got giddy with excitement. I got the pleasure of explaining to you how passionate I am about people and hearing their stories. I told you that I believe people crave to be fully heard and known. That I’m passionate about sharing the stories of others through words and photographs.
You just sat there and listened.
You weren’t much of a talker at first, so I just started asking you a bunch of questions. We got to talk about your family, what you’ve been up to in Gainesville, GA for the last three years, what you are passionate about, and other topics.
My favorite part of our conversation was when I asked you “what is the most important thing to you?” And you said “well God of course!” But then I asked you if you knew much about the Bible, and you said you never really read it.
I smiled and asked if I could tell you about parts of it; you shook your head yes.
I had the honor to tell you about Jesus. That he was fully man and fully God. That for his 33 years on earth he lived a sinless life but died for our sins. That the night before Jesus was supposed to die on the cross, he was in the garden of Gethsemane pleading with his father above; praying so hard that Jesus was sweating drops of blood. Pleading that if this cup could pass from him, to let it – but if not “your will be done.” You just kept saying WOW!
We finished that conversation as we finished our meal. It was a great meal with you, Damon. I got to pray for you and ask the Lord to bless your steps, for you to continue to lean into the Fathers love, and for you to go see your family.
Summer got you a meal to-go after an argument of not needing more food. I won that battle! 🙂
After you left, Damon, I couldn’t help but be so filled with joy. It was my absolute honor to be able to serve you, sit with you, listen to you, love on you, and encourage you. It was such a sweet moment of obedience that Abba fulfilled through you.
With respect,
Lauren Higbee
Pictured: Damon at Colligate Diner in Gainesville, GA.
