A restaurant would not be the first place I would normally explain a religious moment or lesson. Being an advocate for Feminist Theology, I know how women have been over-sexualized in our society. However, I had an occasion to go into Hooter’s for the birthday party of a friend this last week. While I was there I was graced with a message of hope.
For the sake of this article, our waitress’s name that night was Tee. Tee could best be described as bouncy, boisterous and beautiful. Though the group of guys I was with that night were flirty, our conversation with Tee was simply full of celebration and laughter from both sides. As a matter of fact, Tee and our table had such a good connection, that when the bill was placed on our table, Tee had written “Thanks for coming in & God bless” on the ticket.
The message took one of the guys in the group aback to such an extent that he asked Tee if she ever got “shtuff” for writing “God bless.” He asked Tee “What do you do if someone says they don’t believe in God?”
Tee simply smiled at us and said, “I simply tell them that God still believes in them!”
This last week, as I had time to reflect on that evening at Hooter’s, I was struck by two observations. First, how God was using Tee to share His hope and grace with the world. And second, how important it was to be open to the possibility of God’s voice in any place or moment.
A couple of days after the birthday party, a friend of mine and I were having a conversation at Mitchell’s Café in Lakeland. Throughout the conversation the friend depicted specific points in the last month where he thought Jesus was trying to speak to him, explaining that he thought he had finally reached a place in his faith where God was revealing Himself in a much deeper way.
This statement caused me to ask this friend whether he felt God was trying to speak to him more now, or if he felt he was just finally now more open to seeing God in more places on his journey. Contending that God’s grace, peace, love and direction are really evident all around us; there are just moments when we stop to be mindful enough to be willing to observe them.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened. (Matt 7:7-8)
Bio: Chris Craig received his Master’s in Social Work from Tulane University and his Master’s in Pastoral Care & Counseling from Garrett Seminary. Chris guest preaches, leads spirituality classes, and works in social services in Lakeland. Chris is not ordained in any church, and his columns do not speak for any churches or organizations where he might be affiliated.
Rodney O Craig
1 year ago
Hi Chris, As always thank you for your God given thoughts and wisdom. Much love always! Dad
The other Pastor Craig
1 year ago
This was a great post, and reminds me of the stories in the gospels of Jesus hanging out in what many seem to have thought of as the “Hooters” of his day -with “sinners and tax collectors.” And he was there by invitation, no less. And he was no less savior than when teaching in the temple – more so perhaps.
If we were commanded to avoid the places of the world touched by darkness we could never go anywhere – including church. But Tee reminds me there is no place so dark the light cannot touch, and has not touched. Honestly, it seems the darkness I bring in with me is what is most in need of God’s attention. Great job, Chris.
Cliff Wheeler
11 months ago
I obviously got around to reading this article a bit late after the posting, but glad I did get to it. We Christians can be so self righteous and judgemental regarding indviduals with whom we come in contact. In fact, we close the door on opportunity to share Christ day in and day out, by seeking the environments in our lives that make us feel safe, accepted, and “righteous”. That makes us cowards for Christ rather than His warriors. This posting was a clear reminder that believers are in a community ,and our lives and our work, as well as our “play” bring us into contact with each other regularly. Thank God for that. “Tee” was being accountable in her small, but effective way. The one I am thinking about is the guy sitting at the next table who just might have overheard the interchange between your table partners and your waitress and who just might have needed to hear Tee say that “God believes in them”….planting seeds you know.