Table For One

When I first starting eating at restaurants alone...I would dread the question from the hostess, "How many will be dining?" I would hang my head a little and lift up one finger to represent myself. I was fresh out of college, living in a strange city, with all of my friends hundreds of miles away. I don't know how I had enough courage to start doing it...but I wasn't going to let the "loneliness" stop me from exploring and enjoying the city.

I would sit at the table worrying about what others were thinking of me. I made up whispers of "Oh that poor girl is by herself!" or better yet, "She must be weird if she's alone".

I remember eating at KFC in Leavenworth very shortly after I started working here. I didn't know much about Leavenworth and all the places to eat. I lived thirty minutes away which left me stranded in town for an hour with not much to do during the lunch break. There was an elderly lady (probably about 75-80 years old). She had a wedding ring on, a small plate, and no one sitting across from her. I immediately felt sorry for her...so sorry that my eyes began to water. I still have the image in my head two years later.

The vision has changed my life and my attitude about requesting a table for one.

At least once a week, I go somewhere by myself and sit down to enjoy a nice meal. I confidently say, "Just me!" when asked the before dreaded question. I smile at each person that passes by. I say my please and thank you's...with a little extra on the side :). I like to strike up conversations with my server. Just the other day, the server at Cracker Barrel complemented my hair by saying that my highlights were "tight"! It is amazing the things people will say if they think you are alone!

Today I ventured to IHOP. It was a cold and snowy day...breakfast food seemed to fit! As I sat in my booth facing the kitchen, I observed the workers interacting with one another...all from different cultures and backgrounds. My server's name was Veronica. She seemed like a nice lady. I watched her wipe off the table next to me and began to wonder what her life is like outside of the pancake paradise. Maybe she's a single mom...or earning money to take care of her elderly parents...maybe she's going to school. The Hispanic "bus boy" also caught my attention. He was by no means a boy...but rather a man in his late 60's. Then a young middle eastern server caught my eye. I looked around even more and a man sitting across from me was alone while he read the daily newspaper. He was angery with his 20 something white female server for not bringing out the right order. He seemed bitter. I wonder why?

I wanted to know all of their stories. What is their life like? I highly believe that we are all in the ministry 100% of the time. This is my personal ministry. Sitting at a table for one. I got over myself and threw away the thoughts of others. There is too much in our world to see and I don't want my fears to get in the way of experiencing it all.

I hope by smiling and chatting I can bring a little bit of joy to the people I shortly come in contact with. By going alone, it opens up the door. If you are with company...I've noticed the server is less inclined to talk. I think our society puts these working people at a lower level. I admire them. We go in with the idea of "serve me" and "I need this now". For whatever reason they are there earning a very small wage.

As I sit at the table with a cross around my neck, I remember "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Col. 4:6 and "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12