It was a long day, I had gone 9 hours without eating, on my way home from the funeral home across town and I asked Jenn on my way home if there was dinner at home. There was not (Alayna had a softball game and the family was there).
I was craving Chinese take out the whole way home until I got to the light on CR 210 where the Chinese Take Out restaurant is. All of a sudden I thought, "No, I don't want Chinese, it's too much food and I will be sick if I eat it all."
I passed the Chinese restaurant and drove past McDonalds (didn't want that either) and came across a local Mexican restaurant. I got out of my car, and thought, "Oh, I will just order at the hostess station and then go sit back in the car until my dinner is ready."
I get to the hostess station and said, "I would like to order take out." The hostess replied, "You can order takeout at the bar and wait there." I said, "Ok, thanks." As I am walking up to the bar, I thought, "Oh great, the pastor is sitting at the bar and as people come in that may know me, they may think something is really wrong with me, that I'm depressed, I'm a loner, that I just want to be left alone."
I sit down anyway. Open seat. Great. No one on either side of me. All of a sudden, I feel a tap. It's a man I don't know. He says, "Don't think I'm getting all snuggly with you. This is my stuff. (Pointing to his keys and drink) I replied, "Oh, I'm sorry sir, I'm just ordering take-out. He then told me what the specials were.
I order my food (take-out of course :)) and a sweet tea.
He begins telling me about the bartender and how she wants to travel the world and that he had traveled to many places too. I thought this guy was pretty interesting. He told me he had gone to law school worked for a university up north. I then asked him what he did and he told me that he was in the healthcare business. He explained alittle bit of what he did and then he came around to asking me the QUESTION...
"WHAT DO YOU DO?"
What's a United Methodist Pastor to say at the bar? Lol! I was honest and said, "I'm a pastor." His eyes got as big as saucers and said, "Here I am telling you about the specials!" We laughed. The next words out of his mouth were this, "I think that tonight is meant to be."
We began to talk faith and life. He has an interesting life, a great story! He asked me where I was a pastor. I said, "Mandarin United Methodist Church." His eyes got big again! He told me his child plays basketball for Upward and he is on our campus each weekend. The next words out of his mouth were, "I am coming Sunday. This is great!"
He asked for my card and I just ran out of cards so I told him to hold on and I ran out to the car to get a card. I brought it in and he was so appreciative. I was grateful too. Why? Because, I was led to not eat Chinese, pass McDonalds and stop at the Mexican Restaurant. I was grateful because the hostess told me to go to the bar to order. I was grateful because I sat down at the bar and had a sweet tea and decided to wait there. I was grateful because I got to meet Robert.
God's grace is at work. As Methodists, Prevenient Grace is a hallmark of our United Methodist faith. This grace of God comes into our life when we are least expectant of it. This grace moves us and convicts us. I am thankful the sanctifying grace of our Lord Jesus that continues to move us forward in holiness. I was tired, I was hungry. I didn't want to meet and greet. God had other plans for me to get me out of my cocoon.
This Sunday I am preaching on Luke 9:28-36, The Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus doesn't want us stuck on the mountain taking in His glory only for our own edification, Jesus wants us to get out off the mountain and share that glory for others to see.
I truly believe God desires for Longleaf @ 210 to come to fruition, because God continues to put people into my life daily along this stretch of road that want to talk faith. I love it!
I am glad I stopped by and was told by the hostess to go sit at the bar. I met a new friend. Hope to see you this Sunday or another Sunday, Robert, if not, that's ok, at least God brought us together to have a good chat on faith.
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