I learned that Jesus was there to spend time with any time I needed Him. I had become used to having Him there, and after a while, waking up in the mornings and praising Him throughout the day just didn’t seem like enough. I didn’t want to spend time with Him because He pleased me. I wanted to spend time with Him because He was who He was. I wanted to bless HIM as much as He blessed me!
One day, after I spent the morning praising Jesus for where I'd been, where I was and where I was going, I decided to go out on a date with Him; besides, I was hungry.
I asked Jesus where I should go and I quickly decided that I wanted Mexican food. El Chico popped into my head.
I had to go and order me some new uniform shirts, because I had recently received a promotion at my job and I was no longer worried about having all the things that I needed. That was reason enough to praise Him.
After I got dressed I made the drive to the Uniform store on Richmond Road. I passed by the Chipotle Mexican Grill on the way, but dismissed it because I felt like Jesus wanted to bless me with El Chico today.
I asked Him, "Do you think I should go to the shelter and see if someone wants to come with me?" He said, "No, this is for you."
I argued, "I want to be a blessing to someone today."
He said, "You will. In my way. In MY time."
So, I went to El Chico and determined that I would enjoy myself in spite of the guilt.
I looked over the menu. It listed Uno through Siete on the lunch page. Then, it had a Mucho Platter. After reading what the Mucho Platter was and considering the price, I told the waiter, "I would like a Numero Ocho. Le Mucho Platter." He grinned. As he was walking away, I asked him if he had any appetizers besides the chips and salsa he had already brought me. I thought aloud that poppers or something like it sounded great. He suggested the Chicken Jalapeno Poppers. I accepted. He suggested that he would hold the main course while I waited on the Poppers, and I told him not to bother. I would take them all together.
He kept my tea filled (and I drank a lot. That salsa was hot!). Then he brought my meal.
The waiter was witty, charming, and made me feel like I was important, even though he had several other tables he was paying as much attention to. I was more impressed with the service than the food, even though I ate every bite.
I smiled the whole time, thanking Jesus for the time to enjoy the meal, and the ability to afford it. But, I still didn't feel like I was blessing anyone. I felt a gentle nudge in my spirit that said, "Can't you just be blessed?"
I sighed and said, "I AM blessed, even without this. I don't feel half as blessed as I do when I am being used to bless others, though! You have given me so much already!"
I left El Chico after paying my ticket and giving the waiter a generous tip, and Jesus said, "You still need some pants to wear to work." So, I went to Buy & Save on State Line Avenue, and looked around. I didn't find what I was looking for, but I don't believe I am ever anywhere I am not supposed to be. So, I bought a hat and some really cheap earrings I liked. (Felt good just to be able to buy something for myself for a change...)
I took the opportunity to go to the cigarette store next door where I used to do all my cigarette business. I walked in and told the cashier (whom I'd been getting to know over time) "Hi! I just wanted to make sure you knew I was still alive. I'm still here, but I quit smoking." She said, "Are you serious?" I smiled bigger and said, "Three weeks smoke free!" She exclaimed with, "WOW!"
I left there and went to KMart, looking for pants that I couldn't find there. I found some I liked and went to the only register that was open and waited in line.
...And waited.
...And waited.
The lady at the checkout was waiting on a price check. Finally, the cash register next to her opened up and everyone moved over there. I figured I'd just stay where I was. Maybe the line would move sooner.
I waited.
...And waited. Finally, I decided to move, also.
A lady in the line who was behind me before offered to let me have my place in front of her back. I thanked her. When I got to cashier, she asked me for my phone number. I told her. She said, "Wait, you don't have a rewards card? Why don't you get one, it's free!"
"Oh, I don't come here enough."
The cashier asked the lady behind me if she had a rewards card. She said she did. She asked for HER phone number, then started ringing my stuff up. I laughed and asked, "Are you giving HER my reward?" She said, "Sure. Why not?" I grinned at the lady behind me and said, "I'm so glad I could be a blessing to someone today!"
The lady said, "And just think, If I hadn't let you in front of me, I would have missed it!"
WOW, I thought. That'll preach!
I told them of my date with Jesus today and how I've enjoyed myself. This was the icing on the cake.
No, it wasn't a big blessing, but it felt big because of who it came from.
I decided that loved going out on dates with the Master of the Universe!
One day, after I spent the morning praising Jesus for where I'd been, where I was and where I was going, I decided to go out on a date with Him; besides, I was hungry.
I asked Jesus where I should go and I quickly decided that I wanted Mexican food. El Chico popped into my head.
I had to go and order me some new uniform shirts, because I had recently received a promotion at my job and I was no longer worried about having all the things that I needed. That was reason enough to praise Him.
After I got dressed I made the drive to the Uniform store on Richmond Road. I passed by the Chipotle Mexican Grill on the way, but dismissed it because I felt like Jesus wanted to bless me with El Chico today.
I asked Him, "Do you think I should go to the shelter and see if someone wants to come with me?" He said, "No, this is for you."
I argued, "I want to be a blessing to someone today."
He said, "You will. In my way. In MY time."
So, I went to El Chico and determined that I would enjoy myself in spite of the guilt.
I looked over the menu. It listed Uno through Siete on the lunch page. Then, it had a Mucho Platter. After reading what the Mucho Platter was and considering the price, I told the waiter, "I would like a Numero Ocho. Le Mucho Platter." He grinned. As he was walking away, I asked him if he had any appetizers besides the chips and salsa he had already brought me. I thought aloud that poppers or something like it sounded great. He suggested the Chicken Jalapeno Poppers. I accepted. He suggested that he would hold the main course while I waited on the Poppers, and I told him not to bother. I would take them all together.
He kept my tea filled (and I drank a lot. That salsa was hot!). Then he brought my meal.
The waiter was witty, charming, and made me feel like I was important, even though he had several other tables he was paying as much attention to. I was more impressed with the service than the food, even though I ate every bite.
I smiled the whole time, thanking Jesus for the time to enjoy the meal, and the ability to afford it. But, I still didn't feel like I was blessing anyone. I felt a gentle nudge in my spirit that said, "Can't you just be blessed?"
I sighed and said, "I AM blessed, even without this. I don't feel half as blessed as I do when I am being used to bless others, though! You have given me so much already!"
I left El Chico after paying my ticket and giving the waiter a generous tip, and Jesus said, "You still need some pants to wear to work." So, I went to Buy & Save on State Line Avenue, and looked around. I didn't find what I was looking for, but I don't believe I am ever anywhere I am not supposed to be. So, I bought a hat and some really cheap earrings I liked. (Felt good just to be able to buy something for myself for a change...)
I took the opportunity to go to the cigarette store next door where I used to do all my cigarette business. I walked in and told the cashier (whom I'd been getting to know over time) "Hi! I just wanted to make sure you knew I was still alive. I'm still here, but I quit smoking." She said, "Are you serious?" I smiled bigger and said, "Three weeks smoke free!" She exclaimed with, "WOW!"
I left there and went to KMart, looking for pants that I couldn't find there. I found some I liked and went to the only register that was open and waited in line.
...And waited.
...And waited.
The lady at the checkout was waiting on a price check. Finally, the cash register next to her opened up and everyone moved over there. I figured I'd just stay where I was. Maybe the line would move sooner.
I waited.
...And waited. Finally, I decided to move, also.
A lady in the line who was behind me before offered to let me have my place in front of her back. I thanked her. When I got to cashier, she asked me for my phone number. I told her. She said, "Wait, you don't have a rewards card? Why don't you get one, it's free!"
"Oh, I don't come here enough."
The cashier asked the lady behind me if she had a rewards card. She said she did. She asked for HER phone number, then started ringing my stuff up. I laughed and asked, "Are you giving HER my reward?" She said, "Sure. Why not?" I grinned at the lady behind me and said, "I'm so glad I could be a blessing to someone today!"
The lady said, "And just think, If I hadn't let you in front of me, I would have missed it!"
WOW, I thought. That'll preach!
I told them of my date with Jesus today and how I've enjoyed myself. This was the icing on the cake.
No, it wasn't a big blessing, but it felt big because of who it came from.
I decided that loved going out on dates with the Master of the Universe!
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