I had an absolutely wonderful time with my wife this evening when we went out to dinner to meet some friends. They were delayed for about forty-five minutes so we just sat there thoroughly enjoying every minute alone, drinking in the moment like a sommelier savors a perfect wine. While we were being served by our waitress, she so graciously informed us that she would no longer be tending our table because she was feeling ill. I just felt compassion that only comes when the Grace of God moves on my heart toward someone. I asked her if she would mind if I prayed for her that she might feel better. She said ‘Oh sure that would be great!’ all the time thinking I meant at some future moment and different place. My reply to her was ‘May I have your hand so I can pray for you?’ She tentatively stretched her hand out to grab mine and I prayed for her that the Lord would heal her and touch her body. A pretty mundane thing that I am very comfortable doing and really didn’t think much about it.

Later as our friends arrived I was so caught up in the fellowship that I had already forgotten that I had even prayed for a waitress. After we had paid and were leaving the restaurant the manager was greeting every patron as the left the establishment. When I passed by her she put her hand on my shoulder, look me straight in the eyes, and said ‘That was a really wonderful thing that you did by praying for your server. She was so moved by your concern that she left in tears.”  As our friends, my wife and I walked to the car we talked about how awesome that was that a thing like prayer, that we as Christians take for granted, so touched that waitress.

On our drive home my wife and I discussed how we take each other, our love and compassion for one another for granted. We spent the rest of the drive home recalling how fortunate we are that we have so many people in our lives who love us on a daily basis. As my wife shared her thoughts about how many people there are in our society today whom the kind of love that we have surrounding us is foreign to them, that I felt so impressed to let everyone know how a little compassion can go such a long way.

There is a world of people out there that are starving to truly be loved. Some have lost hope that they will ever find some sort of meaningful relationship in their life. It made me so aware of how blessed I am to have a family, a church and a God who loves me.

Look for an opportunity to let the love of Jesus shine!

Have a Great Day!