Second Thoughts ~ Christmas Joys ~ Tipping (not cows)

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

“Tip someone who doesn’t expect it.”

This is so much fun.  I have a plan for this every year.  It allows me to be kind to people who provide a service for me but do not get properly thanked.  It is not as easy as it once was to do this.  We often do not know some of these folks. 

This is an opportunity to go a little out of the way to give joy that yields joy.  I could list several suggestions but instead I would challenge you to pay attention to the people that come to mind for you.

Even when I am tight for cash I do this.  It brings me great joy to be kind to those who do not get notice.  I would love to hear of your adventures in this Dear Reader. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every Diner – Earning the Right to be Heard

Greetings Dear Reader,

I remember the first time I ate at my current favorite diner.  My past favorite diner had closed and I had been vetting diners for over a year.  I sat down at the counter and the server poured me a cup of coffee.  She said her name was Marianna (the middle “a” is an “ah” sound).  When I repeated it correctly she looked me in the eye and said, “You can stay.”

Ten years down the road Marianna stops what she is doing and gives me a big hug when I get to the diner.  She asks me to pray for her and her family.  I am a regular and get to talk about the things the other regulars talk about as they eat their eggs and nurse their coffee.

Yesterday my dear friend Tom asked a very salient question.  I am going to give an honest answer here.  Tom asked, “If you were eating with someone, say right after church, and they ‘tipped’ by writing a bible passage or leaving a note about being saved rather than an actual monetary tip, what would you say to that person? The reason I ask is because it is generally accepted as true that the post-church Sunday crowd tend to be the worst tippers, and the most likely to leave evangelical materials in lieu of tips.”

Here is my answer directly but I wish to develop it further. I agree that in some cases your observation is true. I feel that it is a horrid thing and have been to meals with someone who picked up the check and thought this way. I called him on it trying to explain what a poor example it set of the truth of the Gospel. When he stood on his position I covered the tip. I have heard a pastor address this with a congregation explaining how wrong it is. It is unfortunate that Christ followers like so many other groups get judged by the worst of their kind.

It is true that the majority of Christ followers are not like this.  The ones that do neglect the needs of others and instead force the Gospel on others in insulting ways make it harder for the rest of us.  That said, those of us who wish to truly follow Christ realize that we must earn the right to be heard.

Simply said, my life must communicate Christ long before I say anything.  Jesus reaches into the lives of people and meets them where they are.  He wants to use his followers to do that.  This means that I must be vigilant in assuring that my interactions with everyone reflect my desire to earn the right to be heard.

It also means that I must at times make up for the failures of my fellow followers.  One waitress stiffed by a church goer is too many.  One moment of graceless unkindness is too long.  It is vital that those who believe live that belief before everyone.  We fail.  I fail and retard my progress in earning the right to be heard.

Every moment is an opportunity to show the guy asking for help with his Jumble© that he matters.  Every meal is a chance treat people with respect and love.  It is an opportunity to set a humble example of how those who embrace Christ should behave toward others.

Sad Café – The Eagles

Out in the shiny night, the rain was softly falling

The tracks that ran down the boulevard had all been washed away

Out of the silver light, the past came softly calling

And I remember the times we spent inside the Sad Cafe

Oh, it seemed like a holy place, protected by amazing grace

And we would sing right out loud, the things we could not say

We thought we could change this world with words like "love" and "freedom"

We were part of the lonely crowd Inside the Sad Cafe

Oh, expecting to fly,

We would meet on that shore in the

Sweet by and by

Some of their dreams came true, some just passed away

And some of the stayed behind inside the Sad Cafe.

The clouds rolled in and hid that shore

Now that Glory Train, it don't stop here no more

Now I look at the years gone by, and wonder at the powers that be.

I don't know why fortune smiles on some and let's the rest go free

Maybe the time has drawn the faces I recall

But things in this life change very slowly, if they ever change at all

There's no use in asking why, it just turned out that way

So meet me at midnight baby inside the Sad Cafe.

Why don't you meet me at midnight baby,

Inside the Sad Cafe

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every Diner – Tipping

Greetings Dear Reader,

I find that when I see someone else tipping badly it irritates me.  I am keenly aware of how hard people in the service industry work.  At my favorite diner the servers work long days on their feet all day. 

This past week I saw a man leave a twenty-five cent tip for an eight dollar meal.  I do not know the man and do not wish to judge him.  It seems that if one can afford the meal one can afford the tip.  If not, perhaps one should order something less expensive because tipping is implied and right.

I know the level of service at this diner and the quality of the food.  The latter by the way should never impact how one treats the server including the tip.  It is vital that one keep this distinction.  The person carrying your bacon and eggs from the pass to your table is worthy of kindness and respect.

This translates to the larger world for Christ followers.  We must be generous.  I am not going to equate this to giving to the church.  That is something that each individual must ponder on his or her own.  What I do want to focus on is that Christ followers are to be known for their generosity.

I also feel that someone needs to make up the difference for those who tip too little.  When I tip honestly and generously I can make a difference.  I can improve the day and perhaps over time the life of a server just by being a little more thoughtful.  The essence of the Gospel is seeing that everyone matters to God. 

If I do not purposefully see that server in this light I am in danger of not seeing her at all.  I am in danger ignoring that she keeps my coffee cup full.  I am in danger of taking for granted that she knows what I want for breakfast most mornings without me saying a word.  I run the risk of her feeling that a regular customer does not care about her or her life.

I am not allowed to move through life without noticing, caring for, and acting on that care for others.  Every server in every diner is worthy of kindness and respect.  Leaving behind a few dollars to show the respect can be a sublime act of worship.   

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)