The Open Door

On a recent Sunday evening, my wife, Janice, and I went to a local restaurant to get a bite to eat. It was one of those nice occasions when everything seems to go right. We were seated at a very nice booth and our waiter could not have been more accommodating. He anticipated our every need.

Before we could ask for more iced tea, he was there with the pitcher to fill our glasses. He returned to our table several times to check on us. He was extremely pleasant and very professional.

When he brought the check I asked if I could speak to the manager. This made him a bit nervous so I said right away, “I want to tell the manager how much I appreciated your service this evening.”

He said, “I’ll ask her to come by your table right away.” In just a moment or two a young woman came to our table and said, “I was told that you wanted to speak with me.” She seemed apprehensive. I assumed that she had not been told that we wanted to pay a compliment.

I said to the manager, “I come here often. The place where I work is nearby and many of our people eat in your restaurant. I always receive good service here and the food is consistently good, but I want you to know that the gentleman who waited our table this evening was extraordinary. He was one of the best waiters I have ever had.

“He anticipated our every need and was exceedingly professional in performing his responsibilities. I want to thank you for providing such a nice dining experience for us this evening.”

To say that the young manager was shocked would be an understatement. Her look of apprehension was replaced with a warm and excited smile. She said, “Well, thank you so much for such a nice compliment. I don’t hear many compliments. I am called to tables mainly for complaints and it has been so nice to hear your kind words.”

Then she paused a moment and said, “Actually, I get more complaints on Sundays than on any other day of the week.” I assured her that we would be back and thanked her once again for the service we received.

After she left our table, Janice and I looked at each other, both of us thinking the same thing. Almost simultaneously we said, “Isn’t it a shame that she receives more complaints on Sundays than on any other day of the week.” Sundays are typically thought of as the day that church folk go out to eat after church services. I’m pretty sure that she was thinking that.

It is so important that we see that our actions are consistent with our teaching and preaching. What we say we believe and what we act out in our lives once we are off the church property needs to be compatible if we are to have an effective witness as God’s children.

Most of us go out to eat at least occasionally. May I suggest that when you go out to eat, you go out of your way to be kind to those who serve you whether on Sunday or some other day of the week? We have all had the waiter who is unusually short or gruff.

Our temptation is to be short and gruff in response and to leave a small tip as our “final word” of displeasure.

Sometimes the waiter who is unpleasant is having a bad day that began at home before they ever got to work. If you are eating out on Sunday, remember, that waiter was not able to attend church so he or she could wait your table. It would be nice to share your experience at church and ask the waiter where he or she goes to church.

Janice and I did that one Sunday noon near our church, North Metro First Baptist. We met a young woman who said that she would like to go to church but could not due to her job. It turned out that she was a single mom doing her best to make ends meet. We told her about the other worship times and ministries available at our church and got her information to turn in to the church office so someone could visit her. She was very appreciative.

I have been with many of you when you have said to the waiter, “We are getting ready to have the prayer of thanks for our meal. Is there anything we can pray for you about?” I can say that whenever I have said that, or been with someone else who said it, I have never witnessed a negative response from the server. The question is consistently met with appreciation and usually a prayer request.

Let us be reminded that Christ has called us to be witnesses whenever we encounter people and wherever we might be. One of the most effective witnesses is that of a happy heart and a cheerful and giving spirit. Leaving a generous tip will go a long way in opening an opportunity to give a witness either on this occasion, or the next time you visit the restaurant.