Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23)

It was a great day today until I went to eat my lunch. I’ve been praying and seeking the Lord on our Sunday morning sermon from Isaiah 30, “The Lord Is Waiting”. I really enjoyed my time in His presence today. My God is so awesomely good!

So I thought I’d take a late lunch.

I called and ordered a meal from one of my local fast food restaurants called “The Jumbo House” (1410 Nashville Highway, Columbia, TN). Normally I can get a pretty good meal here if I order it in advance. So I called. The phone rang about 20 times before anyone picked up, but that’s fine. They’re busy.

“Hello”.
Yes, is this the Jumbo House?
“Yeah. Whatddaya want?”
I’d like to order a fried chicken platter.
“Is that all?”
Yes, that’s all I want.
“Name?”
My name is “Buffaloe”.
It’ll be ready in 15 minutes.

Great! So I finish my study, and head toward Jumbo House after about 20 minutes. When I walk in the cashier asks what I want. “I ordered a fried chicken dinner. The name’s Buffaloe.” So she starts looking. No meal. Can’t find it. Then she goes through the paid tickets. Ah, here’s one for Buffaloe. “That’s not my fault. Someone gave your meal away. But the good news is I won’t charge you for it.” I know you won’t charge me for it. I didn’t get it. Someone else is eating it. If you look in the phone book there is only one Buffaloe in this mean city, and you gave my meal to a fake Buffaloe. Ok. That’s fine. I turn to leave. “It’s not my fault, but we can make you another meal if you’ll wait another 15 minutes.” Dear heart, I have somewhere to be. Sorry. I’ll go elsewhere.

So I head toward Hardees (113 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia TN). I drive to the drive through, lower my window, and enjoy the 27 degree breeze blowing through while I wait 5 minutes for service. I’ll not bore you with the details, but I ordered the “All Star Double Cheeseburger with Onion Rings”. It looked good on the menu. The waitress/ cashier gave me my drink, then passed out an “All Star” box. I take it and head back to my office. On opening it I find 4 onion rings and a handful of french fries – all dripping with grease. The free “Cookie” is sitting in the bottom of the box in a pool of grease. The burger – small and underdone – is disgusting. I eat about 3 bites and throw the rest in the garbage.

What has happened to service in America?

Someone posted a picture on Facebook of another local Restaurant called “Farmer’s” (800 James M. Campbell Blvd, Columbia, TN). They ordered their meal and it came complete with a roach, believe it or not.

Everywhere you go service is at an all time low. It is as if people don’t care. They want the paycheck, but have no pride in what they are doing. Sadly many of these people profess to be Christians. I cannot speak to the unbeliever. They are dead in their sins, and enslaved to the flesh. But if you are a Christian you are to do EVERYTHING as if you were doing it for the Lord. God deserves better representatives than we often are.

And I deserved better treatment as a paying guest at these places.