"Where has the time gone, anyway?" I was wondering out loud, looking at
the date while routinely opening the restaurant for another day. Coffee
was hot and ready, and in silent devotion to God, I sent a prayer
heavenward: Dear God, guide, lead, strengthen us for the day ahead, for
without You, all is in vain.
A family of four arrived, and taking
one look at them, I was in horror. I sought God's help: Lord, what is
this all about? How am I to handle this?
They all talked at the
same time, and chilling laughter punctuated their sentences. I
approached their table with great trepidation and was relieved to
retreat to the kitchen to cook their order. I could hear the rough
conversation emanating from the dining room.
However, in the time
that it took to do the cooking, something strange happened. I heard only
one voice demanding the attention of the others. As I approached the
table with the tray, I saw the father holding his family in rapt
attention as he read from one of the pamphlets I had placed on each
table. For years, I had kept a supply of evangelical material in my
restaurant.
The father kept on reading. I stood by with the tray
of food on my arm. He appeared to be in no hurry to receive the food,
but rather continued his reading, and the more he read, the more excited
he became.
He turned to me: "You know this is the best reading I
have ever seen -- just what I and my family need." He continued his
reading aloud in a strong, clear voice, and when any of the others would
interrupt, he would silence them with a raised finger.
When I
finally was able to set the food down, the obvious joy of this man made
my heart rejoice. So this is what it is all about! Jesus, thank You, and
bless this family! My day was turned completely around, and the joy I
had just observed made my own joy somersault to new heights. Praise God!
My little restaurant had been chosen to be worthy. God was present
in a mighty way, His power filling the room. This family had come to my
restaurant for earthly food, but had found instead some heavenly food to
taste and to be nourished with.
As they left, the man gathered a
number of gospel tracts to take with him. I thanked God for His
providence -- another family touched by the Scriptures, another man on
his way rejoicing in the Lord. And as they went, I said a silent prayer
that he would indeed follow through and truly commit himself and his
family to Christ.
Many others have had their first encounter with
God's Word by reading the tracts while waiting for their food. Today's
Scripture speaks to me as I think of all those brothers and sisters who
took their first steps of faith in that restaurant.
As we go
about our daily life and work, we can think of many people for whom we
can pray. Angels will report, "Someone's praying, Lord!"
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for Your counsel and might. You are watching us in
the morning when we call upon You. You see us all day and at night.
Deliverance belongs to You. Let Your Word work in us and through us. May
many more receive Your Word from us, not as a human word, but as what it
really is, Your Word. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Kirsti Sipila
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Thanks to Daily
Presbytarian
