Last evening, a few of us got together to celebrate our pal Angel's birthday. She chose to do dinner at a favorite local pub called Gracie's. The food is good, there's (usually) plenty of seating, and not the typical bar atmosphere. Usually. However, it never occurred to us that this time around Gracie's would be hosting a pre-St. Patty's Day bash, with a live band, and plenty of rowdy revelers. We had to practically yell to hear each other over the crowd. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our meals - I definitely recommend the shrimp tacos, and I had even brought along a birthday dessert of chocolate mousse torte.
Suddenly, to our surprise and out of nowhere, a very pleasant young gal stopped, and sat down at our table. She'd met some friends and had a couple of drinks, but had somehow lost her group, and after wandering upstairs and down, was exhausted, and looking for a safe place to sit and catch her breath. She was all decked out in her holiday wear, and was as pleasant as can be. She was a teacher, and even though it was only 7:30 or so, she was eager to call it a day. Although it was quite unusual, we enjoyed a nice visit with her. and then she went on her way, deciding to get home on her own.
We talked amongst ourselves for another couple of minutes, when much to our surprise and again out of nowhere, a very nice man took the young gal's spot at our table. He had noticed us while standing at the bar with his friends and waiting for a table. He talked about how his group was tired of the party atmosphere and having to shout to be heard, and asked if they could have our table when we left. Of course we agreed. Several minutes after that, and after paying our bills, we got up to leave. He was so grateful, he put his arm around my shoulder and asked if he could give me a hug. We exchanged more pleasantries, wished him and his friends a pleasant evening, and went on our way.
I bring this up, being reminded of something I once heard President Dallin H. Oaks ask, whether some things could be looked at as "an irritating inconvenience, or a ministering miracle". I submit that there was probably something about us and our countenances that made these folks feel safe reaching out, and that it gave us a unique opportunity to minister and be kind, while in the middle of a little craziness. I'm grateful we were all living in a way that this could happen.
Suddenly, to our surprise and out of nowhere, a very pleasant young gal stopped, and sat down at our table. She'd met some friends and had a couple of drinks, but had somehow lost her group, and after wandering upstairs and down, was exhausted, and looking for a safe place to sit and catch her breath. She was all decked out in her holiday wear, and was as pleasant as can be. She was a teacher, and even though it was only 7:30 or so, she was eager to call it a day. Although it was quite unusual, we enjoyed a nice visit with her. and then she went on her way, deciding to get home on her own.
We talked amongst ourselves for another couple of minutes, when much to our surprise and again out of nowhere, a very nice man took the young gal's spot at our table. He had noticed us while standing at the bar with his friends and waiting for a table. He talked about how his group was tired of the party atmosphere and having to shout to be heard, and asked if they could have our table when we left. Of course we agreed. Several minutes after that, and after paying our bills, we got up to leave. He was so grateful, he put his arm around my shoulder and asked if he could give me a hug. We exchanged more pleasantries, wished him and his friends a pleasant evening, and went on our way.
I bring this up, being reminded of something I once heard President Dallin H. Oaks ask, whether some things could be looked at as "an irritating inconvenience, or a ministering miracle". I submit that there was probably something about us and our countenances that made these folks feel safe reaching out, and that it gave us a unique opportunity to minister and be kind, while in the middle of a little craziness. I'm grateful we were all living in a way that this could happen.
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