Anna’s Insights

When I asked her why, her answer brought me to tears. She said that on Sunday most of the clientele are coming from church…it’s obvious with some because they are wearing Jesus pins, talking about the sermon, even trying to reach their server for Christ. 

Here is the heartache. After making their “faith” known, their actions don’t measure up to the God they claim to love.  They make servers stand and wait, holding trays of food, while they pray. They leave “tracts” to tell them about Jesus, and then leave little or no tip! Their manners are often impolite and they can be the most demanding of customers, not considering the fact that once they have “claimed” to be Christians, their speech and actions are now watched very closely by their servers.

My friend Donna Thomas (see her story below) commented that reaching out in love for Jesus’ sake to servers can be expensive. She believes it’s only considerate to leave a generous (20% or more) tip for a server to whom we are His Ambassadors.  Also, we need to remember that most of them are earning an hourly wage of $3.50.

This has weighed on our hearts for a long time, and poor Anna is always trying to explain unloving behavior to the other servers, who have even expressed their frustration with  ”Christians.”   It’s one thing to be hated because we are shining for Christ and holding up Truth; it’s another thing to be despised for un-Christlike living.  The Holy Spirit wants to win hearts to Jesus through our kindness in the “marketplace”… as we treat those who serve us as we would want to be treated; with respect and honor and sincere interest and appreciation. 

Although I know that you, my friends and supporters, are wiser than this, I am writing to ask for your influence over those in your life who might be blind to these things. My friend Laura was WON to the Lord by regular restaurant customers who befriended her gently and who genuinely cared. Jesus DID shine through their interaction with this young waitress, and she has now raised three godly sons who are living for Him.  Never underestimate your influence!!