Out For Breakfast

I went to breakfast with a friend this morning.
How wonderful to have time, uninterrupted time, to sit and talk.
We ordered our omelettes and sat for two hours and caught up.
There are so many things to say to this friend, my prayer partner of many years.

We saw people we knew in the restaurant.
They tucked us in a booth in the back, which was perfect for conversation.
This restaurant, known for its breakfast and lunch, was filled with people.
It was a windy day and it seemed that everyone came in to get warm from the cold.

Food and fellowship will do that.
Warm you from the actual cold temperatures.
Warm you from the cold that is life in this beautiful but fallen world.
The time together warmed our bodies and warmed our spirits.

I left my friend after a hug, pulling my hood up over my head against the wind.
I drove away thinking about another lunch place many years ago.
It was a place that I often went to with my mother.
It had the old fashioned counter that is still replicated in many diners to this day.

The seats were really leather stools of different colors.
The waitresses wore uniforms of pink or mint green.
Their hair was always tucked in a net at the back of their head.
They carried a little notepad on which they wrote our orders.

How I wanted one of those note pads.
How I wanted to play restaurant, thinking the waitress had the best job in the world.
I can still remember our waitress with a handkerchief tucked in the lapel of her uniform.
It formed a perfect triangle and looked like it was never used.

Often, my mother and I would order grilled cheese.
The short order cooks prepared our sandwiches right in front of us.
I watched them put butter on the griddle and flip the sandwiches so expertly.
Our grilled cheese was served with a dill pickle and potato chips.

Gone are the days I would order that same lunch.
Now a healthy salad with grilled chicken is more my taste.
But then, it was simply perfect.
To really splurge, a black and white milkshake was added.

I can still see the waitress getting the stainless steel cup.
She scooped out the chocolate and vanilla ice cream.
She added chocolate syrup and milk.
She put it under the blender, which roared as it mixed the ingredients to perfection.

The milkshake was poured into a frosted glass.
It was served with a long straw.
It was the best lunch.
I can still see the waitress ripping the page off the notepad and giving it to my mother.

People paid in cash back then.
Tips were left in cash on the counter.
Those days are etched in my memory.
Sweet memories.

Our breakfast place this morning had a counter.
People, eating by themselves, usually sit there reading a book or newspaper.
The cooks are in the back, away from view.
Coffee and tea are now the drinks of choice.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

So many people were in the restaurant this morning.
Many were in groups sitting in booths or at tables.
Some were by themselves at the counter.
All were being nourished in body and spirit.

My friend and I bowed our head in prayer before our meal.
After talking about some things that were on our hearts, she wanted to pray again at the end.
There in our booth, in the back of a crowded restaurant, Jesus was there with us.
We invite Him to join us.

He is with us.
He is with anyone, anywhere, who calls on His name.
Fellowship over a meal.
Warming bodies and spirits in His name.

Memories of today.
Memories of yesterday.
The ever present Lord Jesus is with us.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

2 responses to “Out For Breakfast”

1. That sounds like a wonderful breakfast!

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   • It was, Sherie! Next time, it would be lovely to have you join us!
     Gina

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