“With shouts of praise, I’ll offer You a sacrifice, my Lord, because you have the power to save me.” - - Jonah 2:9
Bob was worried – he’d never hired someone handicapped before. The counselor assured him that Chad would make an excellent busboy; Bob just wasn’t sure how his customers would react. “Truckers” frankly don’t care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf is good and the pies are homemade. He was concerned about the immature teenagers, yuppie snobs, and stiff-collared businessmen who thought every waitress wants to be flirted with.
His worries proved groundless. The staff adored Chad from Day1 and the ‘regulars’ quickly adopted him as one of their own. Chad was a blessing!He and his widowed mother lived off their government benefits. Money was tight, but Chad’s wages kept him from having to live in a group home.
He missed work for the first time in three years due to open heart surgery. When she learned that Chad was out of surgery and doing well, Flo the head waitress, leaped for joy. Praise God!
Capt’Jack, one of the truckers, deadened her enthusiasm. "How’ll they handle all the bills, they're barely getting’ by now?" Flo hurried off; Chad hadn’t been replaced so everyone was bussing their own tables.
Three months passed before Chad returned to work. He’d been counting the days and had called a dozen times to make sure they knew he was coming. It didn’t matter that today was Thanksgiving. Chad couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the door and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting.
"Hold up there, buddy!” Bob hollered. ”Breakfast is on me to celebrate your return.”
The staff followed behind them toward a large booth near the back. Glancing over his shoulder, Bob noticed booth after booth of beaming truckers joined the procession. They stopped in front of the big table; its surface covered with napkins, coffee cups, and dinner plates.
“First you’ll have to clean up this mess," Bob said trying to sound stern. Chad looked puzzled. He picked up one of the napkins which had "Something for Chad" written on it. Two $10 bills fell onto the table. Chad stared at the money. Happy Thanksgiving Chad,” they all shouted!
Every napkin had his name on it . . . each contained cash. They eventually counted more than $3,500. Gotta love them truckers! And while everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Chad, a broad smile stretching his already-proud expression, went quietly back to work.
“Love one another!” – such a simple concept, but we find it so difficult in everyday life. God, remove our selfish hearts and replace them with Your own. Remind us of our many blessings on this Thanksgiving Day. Amen
