Faith in Humanity = Restored

Nearly every Monday, around 11:30 a.m., you can find me at the Honey Bee Ham store in Weatherford, TX.  I teach for Weatherford College all morning, and then later, work a shift at TCU, so I grab a bite there before heading to Ft. Worth.  Why the Honey Bee Ham store, you may ask? There are several reasons: the amazing food – wraps, sandwiches, salads, bee-nana pudding, etc., the Christian music playing over the speakers, and the inspirational, faith-based sayings on the walls, but even more than all of that – the people.  The workers are all ladies either around my age or slightly older and they are the happiest people known to man. Okay, there’s no way to know that for sure, but you get my drift. I’m met every single time with bright, smiling faces, and kind, uplifting words. I love these people. I feel a bit like they are extended family.  What can I say? I get easily attached to people.

Anyway, last Friday, I broke with tradition and ventured in since I was running errands in the area.  I had my mom with me and was excited to introduce her to my “friends.” While we were eating, we noticed a young man eating at a table alone.  The other ladies were working diligently, and the manager, Luann, checked in on the young man from time to time. When he finished, she told him to grab some chips and wait for her to talk to him.  My mom and I thought he might be a family member or something. She took his hand and walked him outside to a bench where they sat and visited for at least 15 or 20 minutes. At one point, she got up, went to her car to get a book, and returned.  She read something from the book to him, gave him a hug, and soon after, he departed. When she came back in, one of the gentleman at an adjoining table questioned her about him and here was her story:

The young man was just released from prison.  When he came into the store, he stole a cookie.  (I assume she caught him.  That part happened before we got there.) She told him to return the cookie since that was stealing. He did. Rather than call the police or kick him out, she sat him down, fed him a wonderful meal, and witnessed to him.  She had never met him and could so easily have turned him away, but she opened her heart and ministered to this man who so desperately needed it. I wanted to cry thinking about how he must have felt, alone, afraid, lost.  Luann made the choice to love even though he had wronged her. She was the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth.

Why can’t we all do that?  I don’t. I admit it. I often move away from a situation that makes me uncomfortable rather than embracing the discomfort as direction from God to take care of His children.  I need to step outside myself and do what Luann did. She lives the life that is represented on those faith-filled sayings lining the walls. It’s not just decor. It is her heart.