We were seated by a friendly waitress and were left to look at our menus and decide what we would order. We waited. With all the activity we wondered if we were possibly forgotten as our waitress was nowhere to be seen! To be fair we likely only waited for her return for less than five minutes... but with hungry and eager children (and parents, lol) minutes seemed to stretch out longer. My husband wondered out loud if we should even stay.
Shortly after she returned... with a big beautiful smile and a "thank you for your patience!" It was amazing to me how quickly she turned our impatience into a positive feeling... we relaxed and she took our order. I mentioned my oldest wasn't ordering a meal as he didn't feeling that good and she seemed to sincerely care "I hope you feel better sweetie." She was warm, caring, and... present.
As we waited for and ate our food I couldn't help but notice what a hard worker she was! She hustled and bustled... bringing food to patrons, extra cheese, onions that were mistakenly forgotten, napkins, picking up empty plates and glasses not to mention cleaning abandoned tables and continuing to seat the next wave if hungry guests! She continued to check in with us and all those around to make sure all our needs were being met. All of this with a warm smile... her glowing attitude was contagious!
As she passed me by I couldn't help but compliment her "You're like Super Woman, how do you DO it?!" She replied it was her God that gives her the power. I smiled and said "Well, He's doing a good job!"
She DID seem to be filled with a power... and I couldn't help but feel like through her positivity and joy she was doing God's work! She blessed all her customers by caring for each of them as people not just as patrons! God was working at Steak n' Shake through her sharing Christ's love.
She is proof to me that through Him we can each be used right where we are! Even if we work as a waitress at a fast food restaurant! If she can be a minister of Love in a fast food there, can't I do the same where ever I am?
She never quoted a bible verse. She didn't hand out mini crosses. She wasn't leading a Sunday school class. She was working her day job... only she was propelled by the loving presence and power of her God. She shared Him through her dedication to her work and to those of us who had the privilege of interacting with her.
On the way out my oldest son turned to me and asked "Do you think we are the customers of the day to her?" I couldn't help but nod and smile. The truth is I think EVERYONE is likely treated by her like they are her customers of the day! Feeling a little more cared about and special... she shared His Love to all who cross her path. With God fueling her mission she didn't just help feed her customers stomachs, but our souls!
"Have a blessed day!" she encouraged each of us as we paid our bills, gathered our things and prepared to go. You know what? Thanks to her and her faithfulness... I will! Thanks to her and her "Steak n' Shake ministry" I believe many more will have blessed days as well!
❤A special thank you to our waitress Lanette for teaching me a little more about our God and how we are all called to Love... no matter who or where we are! I wish her many blessed days as well!
People like her can make even a boring job exciting. I wonder if anyone has ever ask her questions about God in a deeper sense? Often times I wonder about those who are Christians and who have an opposite attitude because they hate their job. A fellow at my job is in this situation. He was forced into his job because of a medical condition and feels as if he is getting the run around from management and it seems to have worn on his attitude but he is very quick to talk about God and the Bible with you. He is not in services industry like this lady is though so he doesn't see the public. Only his fellow associates.
ReplyDeleteWith this experience I was reminded that we can share God with others much more effectively through our actions than our words. In fact, I think that's really what that Jesus guy was trying to tell us! ;) In fact, loving others is top on His list of Do's! I sure felt His love through Lanette... and I'm convinced God is pretty pleased with her Steak n' Shake ministry! I think your co-worker might benefit from this reminder as well... whether He interacts with 2 or 20... each person benefits from feeling cared for and loved. Thanks for your comment.... I appreciate it.
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