“I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength."
~ Philippians 4:13
Tara had just finished a 10-hour
shift at the diner. Her feet ached and
her head throbbed, but she still managed a smile so genuinely sweet that it
warmed the few remaining patrons before she headed into the chilly night air.
Outside the restaurant, she slipped into the alleyway. The familiar stench of sour garbage marked
her shortcut home. Tara stopped, ears
straining. The alley was never like
this, like some empty movie set. Her
eyes took in every detail.
Suddenly a man blocked her path. Holding a knife between thick fingers he
spoke without fear. "Wallet, jewelry, now!
Her hands trembled as she handed over the goods - $37 in
tips and a cheap necklace. He grabbed
them and ran off.
Sweating and shaking, Tara managed to yell “Young man,
wait!” He stopped dead in his tracks, as
if paralyzed by curiosity.
Removing an old scarf, she offered it to him. “Take this too. Its cold tonight. I’m almost home anyway.”
“Let me buy you a meal,” she continued. I know a great restaurant near here. They serve great meat loaf. And the chili’s to die for.”
He reasoned that she must be nuts but decided to take her up
on the offer. Something about her
projected warmth and compassion; an authenticity seldom found on these streets.
She introduced herself to Daryl and the two returned to the
diner. She told him to order whatever he
wanted. On her! As the two struck up a conversation, Daryl
shared his desperate story.
He was from Philly and had been struck by a car. He couldn’t go to a hospital because he had practically
nothing to his name – not even an ID card.
Soon they were engaged in a conversation like two old friends.
When it came time to settle the bill, Tara reminded Daryl
that he’d taken all her money. He
returned the cash to its rightful owner.
She told him to keep the necklace, one given by her dying mother. Its inscription read Philippians 4:13
(above).
She’d answered the call; an opportunity to transform the
trajectory of someone’s life. She’d fed
him what he was really hungry for – encouragement, hope, a listening ear. And he felt special.
Waitressing is a tough gig, and women who can do it well
usually turn out to be genuinely remarkable people. The next time you go out for dinner, let
your server know “We'll be thanking God for our food when it arrives and would
like to know if you have anything we could pray for.” If you don’t take the risk of hospitality,
you’ll never know.
Almighty Father, allow me to serve others as You
serve, with gentleness, compassion, and tenderness, never diminishing the worth
of another, choosing to extend mercy to the brokenhearted, like You have
repeatedly shown it to me, Amen. ~ Jack Watts
