Decisions and Callings

Over the past few weeks, I have been struck with the reality that God is calling me to do something huge. Not just huge, but something that people will not understand, no matter how many times it is explained. It is something that I did not foresee happening, or being called to do, and it is something that makes me nervous and excited at the same time.

So many things over the years are seemingly coming full circle in the form of answered prayers. The prayers that received the response of "wait" so many years ago are now receiving the response of "here you go" in the adventure of a lifetime.

This is going to take a lot of faith and a lot of trusting God to work everything out the way He desires, just as all of life should. I tried to resist this, but it is not happening - if anything, God is continually pushing me in this direction. Now to follow HIS calling... trusting that all the details will work out, and that the brewing storm will subside in due time.

Just when I thought this part of life was figured out, God throws a massive curve ball and says "Nope, I want you over here. No, not over there...over here. Right now." And then I go, "Really? Right now? But what about.... OK. Never mind that thought, even though You already know what it was, it's invalid to this situation. Alright, here I am, send me. Now how do we get there?" To which He responds "Patience, child. My grace is sufficient for you. Believe Me in this time that is difficult to understand, for all involved. I love you and will not let you fall. Believe in Me and My perfect will." So then I calm down and say "Ok, Abba. Thank You!"

It is beautiful to see how God is working in all these situations....

"I hate the ACC"

Working in a restaurant, you really get to see the other side of the food industry. To many, this may seem like a really basic "duh" statement, but to me it speaks volumes as to the reputation of Christians.

Over the past few weeks, I have been working regular shifts at my "home" restaurant (the one the hired me last September), and picking up shifts in a sister restaurant closer to home. Throughout this journey of working in the food industry, I notice the opinions and assumptions that people form of those who go to church.

One comment about working a Sunday lunch shift in a restaurant, and you will hear some of these opinions and assumptions. One of the servers at my "home" restaurant commented that she would be working Sunday afternoon, and that it better be busy, because otherwise she won't make rent. Then she realized that she probably wouldn't make rent anyway, because of the "After Church Crowd" (ACC). This made the other hostess crack up and start imitating what the typical "ACC" member would sound like when ordering.... "Yes, I'll have the baked schrod with no butter, no breadcrumbs, no lemon. And I'll have the rice and broccoli. But make sure the rice is really well done, but not overcooked." They had a good laugh out of it, before commenting "I hate the ACC."

I can hear the thoughts now... "Why didn't you say anything?"..."Why don't you report harassment?"..."I can't believe they would say such a thing!" Well, you know what, harassment was the last thing in my mind at this point. My immediate reaction was disgust. But not at my fellow employees. My disgust was with the Christians who give everyone else a bad name in the restaurant. With the Christians who rather leave tracts, instead of tips. With the Christians who do not show mercy or understanding when the food may not be exactly how they ordered it (regardless of how picky they are being when ordering). With the Christians who don't tip well because they don't have the money on-hand. And with the Christians who don't understand that waitstaff is counting on YOUR TIPS to make ends meet from week-to-week, because they get a base pay of maybe $4/hour.

Do Christians realize how their actions impact the very souls they are trying to lead to Christ, when they leave a tract instead of helping someone pay for rent? Do Christians realize how offensive that is to the waitstaff? If you want to leave a tract, I can't stop you, but at least leave a decent tip as well. And by decent, I do not mean 10%. If your total bill is $40, and you tip 10%, the server is only getting $4.00 out of the entire bill. If you sit at the table for an extended period of time, and the restaurant is busy, leave a little extra - you are occupying extra space where they could have made more money.

Don't expect the server to be perfect and then knock off some of the tip percentage because of one mistake. Was the mistake resolved? Awesome! Did you bring it to their attention in a polite way? Trust me, you don't want to know what is said after you leave, if you did not respect the waitstaff! They are helping to take care of you, so why don't you take care of them in return, okay?

Be courteous. Treat them with respect. And for goodness sake, leave a good tip. Did you know that most servers count on 20% as being standard? Leave 15% and you're considered rude. Leave less than that, and they'll call you stingy. Don't be part of the "ACC."

If you want the server to make it worth your money, make your money worth their time.

Chapter After Chapter

I still cannot believe that it was over one year ago that I walked across the stage to receive my diploma from Cedarville University and become a college graduate. It baffles my mind to think that four years of college education came to a conclusion, and that I started the next adventure, over a year ago. Now, all the students who entered as freshman during my sophomore year have graduated and began their next adventures in the world, and the youth that I started working with last year are graduating. Where does the time go? I feel as though so much time has passed, and yet no time at all. Is that strange? So many of my friends are now married or engaged, others are preparing for college, and some are going on to grad school. Many of my friends are living their dreams - the same dreams the talked about during our years in college.

I attended the graduation party of one of the youth group girls this afternoon. She is someone who reminds me a lot of myself in some ways - she loves acting and modeling, and is going to take a year off in order to afford college education, to follow her dreams. I may not have taken a year off, but I did insist on following my dreams, and it is because of this, that I see a lot of myself in her. I only pray that she will continue to remain close to God throughout all of these new adventures, and that she will always follow her dreams - no matter what.

On the drive home, I began to think back to my own graduation party five years ago. (Dang, was it really that long ago...?) So many people were supportive of my wanting to attend Cedarville, supportive of my wanting to be involved in theatre, and were convinced that it was the place God wanted me to be for four years. I think back to the cards that were received, which I still have in my room, and all the encouraging notes that were written. Notes of how God was going to use me for big things in the future, reminders of how strong I have become over the years, and encouragement that there would be many prayers for my continued strength and faith in Christ. I remember feeling so loved, so treasured, so much like everyone wanted to see me succeed.

Now that I've graduated, what am I doing to live out those warm wishes for success? It seems like so many warm wishes are given around graduations, but what about the rest of the time? Of course we all need encouragement around graduation, and it's awesome to know that others are celebrating with us - believe me, I am not downplaying the importance of sharing in such excitement! I am merely wondering why it is that so often we don't (or just "forget") to encourage and share in the excitement of day-to-day life? Doesn't everyone need some encouragement during the difficult times? Doesn't everyone like to know that others are celebrating in the little victories that make a huge difference in future? I think we should always be willing to share an encouraging word, pray with a friend who needs it, and celebrate with those who have triumphed over a challenge...even if it seems small to the world.

Maybe I'm just feeling this way because, even with having a four-year degree, I am still working in a restaurant. Maybe it's because I don't really feel like I'm using the knowledge that was poured into me during those four years of college. Or maybe it's because I recognize a need that should be filled in the world, and that friendships should be treasured - because new adventures come along, and sometimes those new adventures take people away from us.

God's Will is Always Perfect....

....even when we don't understand. This is one of the most difficult facts to understand sometimes. I suppose that is why it is called faith. Believing in what you cannot see, certain of the things you cannot explain.

God is good.... He has brought a wonderful man into my life and I cannot wait to see him again. Yes, we are long distance. Yes, it is difficult. Yes, God is good. We talk on the phone every night for at least a little while - sometimes that means a few hours (thank you nights and weekends!), and sometimes it is only a few minutes. Regardless of how long we talk, or what we talk about, it is a blessing. I am proud to call him my boyfriend and cannot help but smile when we are together....even when only connected by the sound waves of a phone. Yes, God is good and takes us by surprise to prove His goodness.

God is good.... He has provided a job that has been enough to sustain bill payments being made on time, though not always comfortably. No defaulting on loans has happened, and that is a blessing. He has allowed me to travel to weddings and to see the boyfriend in Penn. God is good. He has provided and proven Himself faithful....again and again.

God is good.... Even though we do not understand why a little girl was taken Home at such a young age (not even one day old), He gave her parents time to hold and love her outside of the womb. God is good. the delivery was successful. God is good. He shows His love through the prayers and encouragement of others. God is good - His will is perfect - even when we don't understand. God is good. I don't understand why this has happened to two people who are very special to me, but it has... All I can do is pray for them, even though I would much rather drive to see them in Virginia and love them the same way they loved me during difficult times in high school. Even with wanting to do more, and feeling so helpless to do anything, God is good. He will use every situation in life to prove His faithfulness. He will use the hurts to prove His sufficiency. And if we understood everything that He will do with these situations, we probably wouldn't believe it could happen anyway. So for now, I trust that He is working in the background. Working in ways that we cannot see. Working to make the next chapter and scene beautiful. Working to produce gold out of our tarnished lives. Working. Working....

When I cannot believe the visible circumstances, I believe in the invisible God. He is better than all else. He is all we need. He is ALL!