Hope Was Given

The waitress came to work that cold December day. She felt a certain heaviness, wondering where the money would come from that she needed to pay her bills. She had been assigned to serve a Christmas party of 16-20 people.

Pushing her worries aside, she cheerily greeted the people dribbling in. There seemed to be something different about them...a light and peace that came from within. As she hurried to and fro, refilling drinks and gathering empty plates, she often lingered longer than necessary just to see what made these people tick. WHAT was it??

After the food was cleared away, all eyes turned towards the table laden with presents. With much fun and laughter gifts were chosen and exclaimed over. She stood in the shadows taking it all in. When all the gifts were distributed and everyone had one to claim for their own there was still one upon the table. "Give it to her!" someone cried, and there was a hearty approval of cheer from the group. The waitress hesitatingly stepped forward and with tears in her eyes took the last package. She did not know that she was about to receive a gift much bigger than the box of chocolates.

At this point the pastor stepped up and said they would like to bless her with money and minister to her. She was willing and eager although she didn't quite understand what he was talking about. As words of blessing, hope and encouragement flooded her way from every corner of the room, the tears began to fall again. And then there was money stuffed in her pockets till she didn't know what to say!

When things had quieted down a bit, the oldest member of the group (91) said how she had prayed that God would give them someone to minister to that night.

Names and phone numbers were exchanged and hope was born again in the heart of the waitress that day.

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Note: This is not a story that happened years ago but one from the past 2 weeks. It took place at Pizza Ranch and I am happy to be part of a group that shares God's love in real and practical ways.