Yesterday was an interesting one. Quite eventful; at least, it seemed so in the way it impacted me. Not the 'normal' go-to-work-at-the-restaurant-in-the-morning-then-head-to-VRCA-for-work-in-the-afternoon Thursday.
It started out with my personal Bible study time, and the topic in the devotional book I'm reading through. The focus verse was Psalm 37:7:
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:..."
At the bottom of the page was a closing thought: "Put your to-do list down and instead spend five minutes in stillness before Jesus praising Him and asking Him to show up in your day."
Now, I must confess, I realized that I've been subconsciously priding myself on the fact that I am able to focus on the Lord throughout my day, whether I'm busy 'doing' or whether I'm spending intentional time studying things of God. In the last few days I've been consciously working on getting some unfinished projects completed, or start and finish some that I've been wanting to do for a while. Besides working two part-time jobs, being very involved at church, and doing my chores and errands to help the family. In other words, I've been busy. What I call "comfortably busy" (busy enough to not be wasting time, but not so busy that I'm worn to a frazzle either), but still busy. I wake up in the morning already planning how I want to use the day and what I want to see accomplished in it.
But this little suggestion seemed like a 'noble' one and I thought, 'Hey, I've got this - spend just 5 more minutes here at the end of my Bible study time, simply praising the Lord? I can do that. My to-do list isn't too complicated today.'
How dumb I am.
It actually was more difficult than I thought. For my naturally active spirit, not to mention the rest of the day waiting to be used, it was hard to keep my mind off of the projects I was wanting to get done, and simply praise the Lord for even those five minutes. But as I focused and made myself really think about thanking and praising God for His incredible work in my life and in the lives of those I love, I found my heart even lighter than when I'd started.
And little did I know how those few minutes would set up the strength I needed for the rest of the day.
Yesterday was The Grandparents' wedding anniversary. 66 years. In today's world of no-guilt, quick-and-easy divorce practices, I am SO thankful for the example and track record of my ancestors.
I had to be at work at the restaurant at 10:00, so Mom, Trissy and I went up the road to their house to congratulate them and give their gifts before I left. An iPad (Uncle David's idea :) ), and a family calendar with all the family anniversaries, birthdays, important dates, and lots of pictures (the Shutterfly project of one of the cousins - it turned out great!), both from the whole family of The Grandparents' descendants, who chipped in to make it happen. They were thrilled!
I had to leave for work right away, but Mom and Trissy were planning to spend the day with them, just visiting and spending time together.
Work was interesting. Ok, it was awful. Or very easily could have been.
There is a new girl, and I've been helping train her. So far the days she's worked have been pretty slow, so she's been able to have time to start getting the hang of things without alot of pressure. Yesterday was only her fourth day, I believe.
Yesterday was not a slow day. We had one cook in the back, and a new girl up front to serve, and a ton of customers in a very small window of time, many of them grumpy difficult ones. We finally stopped answering the phone for call-in orders - we were swamped just trying to take care of the people who were already in line at the front window or at the drive-thru.
Our cook - normally pretty good-natured, and respectful of my dislike of foul language - was absolutely swamped, furious angry, frantic for a cigarette, and cussing like a tea kettle letting off steam when the water's boiling. The poor new girl was almost in tears from the disrespect of dissatisfied customers and the frustration of making mistakes under the pressure.
I tried my best to calm the cook, who was not unduly frustrated (just showing her frustration inappropriately), and comfort the new girl, who was honestly doing her best, just not experienced enough yet to stay on top of things. I myself was barely keeping 'my head above water', so to speak, and I've been there several months!
To top it all off, when the rush had slowed down and we were taking a minute to 'rest and recuperate', the new girl shyly asked me if I would do her a favor. She seems like a nice girl, pleasant and easy to get along with, but something about the way she hesitated when she asked, made me say, "Well, maybe. What is it?" instead of, "Sure!" like I normally would.
Immediately, as if she'd thought it the rest of the way through just since she'd asked, she said, 'No, never mind, I don't think you would want to... Never mind, it's okay.'
I wanted to show that my hesitation was not because I wasn't willing to help her out, it just depended on what she was going to ask. I tried to make my face and voice friendly to put her at ease as I said, 'Well, you can ask me anyway! And I might say no, but I might say yes. What is it?'
She still looked self-conscious and almost embarrassed, shaking her head, 'No, I don't think you will, but, I was wondering if you could take me to the store, and go in for me, but I'd give you money, and... buy me some cigarettes...?'
Several important thoughts flashed through my mind in quick succession. One, I wasn't surprised, I was saddened; two, she couldn't even buy them for herself because she was underage, and would have to have someone old enough get them for her; three, I was thankful she had been able to realize enough about me to realize I wouldn't approve and probably wouldn't agree to it; four, she was right - I wouldn't do it for her; and five, and most important, she must not get the impression that I judged or would shun her for it - either for smoking or for asking me to help her get the cigarettes illegally. Showing the love of Christ to people is the most effective way to share Him with them.
"Oh," I said slowly, hesitation and regret both on my face.
"Yeah," she said, looking even more guilty and self-conscious.
I shook my head apologetically. 'No... I'm sorry, I can't.'
She nodded. 'It's okay', she said, looking like the tension maybe wasn't as great.
'I'm sorry,' I said again, apologetically, and impulsively reached out and hugged her.
'It's alright, don't worry about it, I'm not mad at you or anything,' She looked now like she was trying to put me at ease!
There was really nothing else to say, so we went back to our jobs in a silence that was a little awkward, but we were soon busy again and moved on.
The cook finished an order of fries for a customer who had been especially difficult and had gone back to her car to wait. I took it to the window and smiled and waved at her to show it was ready. The new girl, watching, said, 'I don't know how you can smile like that when people have been so awful. I just want to punch somebody in the face.'
I smiled and shrugged. 'Well...' the woman had come to the window. 'I'll tell you in a minute.'
I opened the window, smiled and said, 'Here you go. Thank you.' as I handed the woman her fries. She took them and stomped off. I shut the window and turned back to my co-worker, raising my eyebrows in a self-deprecating gesture. 'If I didn't have Jesus in my life, I couldn't smile! He's the One Who helps me! If it wasn't for Him, I would be so mad at some people right now!'
She stood with her arms folded, looking vacantly out the window. 'Yeah,' she murmured, 'I'm so frustrated right now.'
I didn't keep talking. Her attention had wandered when I mentioned Jesus, but at least I'd been able to tell her the Reason for my joy. Maybe I'd get another chance sometime.
Another customer was coming to the window, and the day moved on.
But when I got off at 2:00, I parted with each of my co-workers on friendly terms. I pray often that the Lord would use me in that place!
I'd planned to buy my lunch, and since Law's recommendation of McDonald's oatmeal Wednesday night (I plan to tell that story in another post), I decided to have that. I knew I wanted to get it yesterday, while the idea was fresh (besides, all I'd been able to think about since our conversation, was oatmeal with apple chunks in it :) !). Especially if Law was working, I wanted him to know I'd acted on his suggestion. At first I couldn't make up my mind if I wanted to go through the drive-thru, or go in. If I went in, I could sit in there until time to be at the academy (about 40 minutes or so), but he might not know I'd come by, since he works in the back. If I went through the drive-thru, he'd hear my voice and know, but then I'd need to decide where to go to sit and eat.
I was really ready for that oatmeal by the time I left the restaurant at 2:00! As I pulled into McD's parking lot, I decided on the drive-thru. I was tired and hungry - I didn't want to have to get out and go in.
There were several cars in front of me, giving me time to gather the little herd of change I was going to 'use up' to pay with. The car ahead of me pulled forward, and I had a funny feeling as I ordered, like I was on stage, or had an audience or something. I felt a little self-conscious, but tried to be cheerful and pleasant. Good-natured customers are so nice - I know from experience!
'Um, yes ma'am, I'd to try your oatmeal, with the chunks of apple in it.' I couldn't see a listing for it on the menu, and didn't know what to say! I felt like such a dork :) !
There was a long pause, then she politely asked if that would be all. I asked for a cup of water, and she told me it would be "Two-seventeen at the first window."
I pulled up to the first window, and as the girl opened it and repeated my total, a bright face with raised eyebrows and a pleased, mischievous smirk under a black McDonald's cap appeared beyond her shoulder. I laughed out loud!
'I told you it isn't healthy for you.' he warned, grinning. Those amazing summer-forest eyes were definitely leaning to the 'sky' element of the color.
"I know," I responded, handing the girl my money, "but ever since last night all I could think about was oatmeal with apples in it!"
"Well you won't be disappointed!" he assured me, backing away to return to his grill, still with that happy smile.
And I left with my spirits greatly uplifted, cradling my little cardboard cup of warm oatmeal, and chuckling to myself happily as I pulled onto the highway and went on to the school. That was just the cheer-up-er I needed!
I ended up sitting in VRCA's parking lot for the half-hour before I had to go in, eating that very delicious, very fruity cup of oatmeal, and praising the Lord for His mercy and kindness - in my life, and in the lives of those I care about.
How good He is to me! How good He is! How thankful I am that He controls it all!
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