The other night my wife and I had a much needed date night. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, Cracker Barrel. Our waiter was a very nice young guy. He smiled, was polite, he knew the menu and he was honest. He told us the fish platter was the special because it was during Lent and because they were trying to get rid of it. He was a good waiter. He kept our glasses full and he gave us just the right amount of attention.
There was something about him that made me realize he wanted to talk to us. I don’t know what it is about some people, but I will get the feeling that some people want to tell me something. When I see that in people I will ask questions that allow them to talk. Sometimes they do. This guy did.
He casually mentioned his fiancé and I knew that was it. I only had to ask him one question, “oh, so you’re engaged?” and a broad smile creased his face. He started talking like he was explaining how he won the lottery. I had found what he wanted to tell us.
A week earlier he had asked his high-school sweetheart to marry him. He stood at our table and told us his story.
They had been living together for a few years. They had a dog and they both worked waiting tables at Cracker Barrel. He really wanted to ask her to marry him, but he wanted it to be a surprise. He had scraped enough money together to get her a ring without her knowing. He told us he got a Friday night off from work for both of them. He also got a bunch of their friends to come, most of which worked at Cracker Barrel also which didn’t make his boss happy, but he didn’t care. He took her to one a local karaoke bar. He said they didn’t party much, but he decided this would be special. His smile got bigger as he said, “yeah, she was surprised when I walked up and sang our favorite Keith Urban song. Then I walked up to her and got down on my knee and asked her to marry me!”
His smile and his eyes told us how excited he was.
I’m so happy there was something he saw in me and Elizabeth that made him know we would celebrate with him.
I know people who would not celebrate with that guy once they found out he was living with his girlfriend. I know people who would furrow their brow when they heard the part about the karaoke bar. The worst part is these people call themselves Jesus’ followers.
Jesus restores sinners. Jesus beautifies lives. Jesus transplants hearts. That is what I thought as we celebrated with that guy. I loved his story, think of how cool this guys story would be if Jesus did His work in his life!
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