Blessing The Bounty

I wrote this blog about two months ago and yesterday this became a discussion in our Sunday School class. Two good points were made that I should add. When you bow your head you are stating who and whose you are. Keep that in mind with your talk and actions.

I had called my brother today to ask him if I could share a story about him on my blog. (Please know I always ask someone before I share!) The one story got us talking about three different stories. Two are easy ways to witness and you never know when God puts the right person watching!

My brother was out of town working and he usually eats in his hotel room. That particular night driving in from work, he saw a sign for wings on the pub next door. He usually eats his diet food in his room but this sounded great! He went in and ordered. When his food came he bowed his head and said his blessing. Before he could lift his head he said a man kind of made fun of him asking him what he was doing.

My brother began talking to the man. He said it was obvious this man was very smart and had a big job with national security. At first the man was borderline rude. My brother said he told the man that he doesn't pretend to be smart and answer all of his questions. For him it is faith. The man had obviously seen a lot and did not believe that a "God" would let those bad things happen. Later he softened and after an hour or two they were friends. Before the man walked off he went from thinking my brother was stupid to thanking my brother for talking to him. He told him he "wished he could have faith."

In our home we always said the blessing each time before we ate and said our prayers at night. That is how we grew up. If we were at a restaurant we said the blessing. This was ingrained in us.

Matthew 6: 5-6 says, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

We pray in restaurants because we pray before meals whether at home or out. We thank God for our food and we acknowledge that God gives us all good things. We are not loud or boastful. Actually, we do not even think about it. After 50 years it is a habit. I never think about if someone is looking. I think what is important to God is that we have the correct attitude and motive. It must be God honoring.

We never know who is watching us. And we don't need to because this is just between us and God. Who knows what happened to that man? God used my brother and seeds were planted. God will take care of the rest.