Today, I stopped for a burger, and decided to sit down to eat. I don't usually, but this time, I felt like celebrating. I had just deposited a very nice paycheck in my bank account.
So, I ordered and sat in a booth...
Right behind me sat 3 ladies, waiting for their food.
I couldn't help but hear everything they talked about.
Who they were discussing, I did not know, but everything they said was cutting and mean.
Then they mentioned another name, and the conversation continued to slice and dice people down to size.
When their food came, They said a few choice words among themselves about the ineptness of this establishment's management.
Suddenly, they all bowed their heads, and the most beautiful prayer thanking the Lord for the food, and asking blessings and giving thanks for all things in the Name of Jesus... it flowed over my soul like a balm.
"Amen" they all chorused.
And immediately, their tongues got back to the negative gossip.
I finished my food... and felt I could not leave without saying something to them. But I didn't want to make a scene. I mean, they could get very angry, and how would that serve Christ?
So I prayed, and suddenly felt maybe a note would work.
So... this is what I wrote on a small note paper, and gave it to them as I went out:
"The prayer I heard from your booth blessed me! I enjoyed hearing it so much!
But I can't say the same about the rest of your conversation.
If I were an unbeliever, the witness of your prayer would have been erased by the witness of your negative gossip.
- Because I love Jesus."
I signed my first name, got up, stopped by their table and said, "Hello, Ladies" with a smile... handed them the note... and scooted.
Do you think I did the right thing?
(I'm really doubting myself now, because I'm usually more gifted with succinctly speaking the truth, than with social grace.)
So, I ordered and sat in a booth...
Right behind me sat 3 ladies, waiting for their food.
I couldn't help but hear everything they talked about.
Who they were discussing, I did not know, but everything they said was cutting and mean.
Then they mentioned another name, and the conversation continued to slice and dice people down to size.
When their food came, They said a few choice words among themselves about the ineptness of this establishment's management.
Suddenly, they all bowed their heads, and the most beautiful prayer thanking the Lord for the food, and asking blessings and giving thanks for all things in the Name of Jesus... it flowed over my soul like a balm.
"Amen" they all chorused.
And immediately, their tongues got back to the negative gossip.
I finished my food... and felt I could not leave without saying something to them. But I didn't want to make a scene. I mean, they could get very angry, and how would that serve Christ?
So I prayed, and suddenly felt maybe a note would work.
So... this is what I wrote on a small note paper, and gave it to them as I went out:
"The prayer I heard from your booth blessed me! I enjoyed hearing it so much!
But I can't say the same about the rest of your conversation.
If I were an unbeliever, the witness of your prayer would have been erased by the witness of your negative gossip.
- Because I love Jesus."
I signed my first name, got up, stopped by their table and said, "Hello, Ladies" with a smile... handed them the note... and scooted.
Do you think I did the right thing?
(I'm really doubting myself now, because I'm usually more gifted with succinctly speaking the truth, than with social grace.)