“I Saw You” (07/11/2025)

Yesterday, I had arranged to meet a friend for lunch in Madison on the east side. I selected Mission BBQ because I like to support it (it honors our military, law enforcement, and first responders). I arrived early, ordered a soda, sat down and waited. My friend was running late, so I had a while to watch the other patrons.

I watched other patrons, trying not to spook anyone or invade their privacy. I watched as groups gathered, I watched as employees helped patrons, I watched as parents tended to children. Then I noticed two young men, probably in their 20s, come in, shake hands, order, and then go to their booth while they waited for their food. Everyone at the restaurant was upbeat, but these two were pretty joyful. When their names were called, they returned to the order counter, fetched their orders and took them to their table. And then they prayed together before they ate.  It surprised me in a very good way.

When my friend arrived, it only took us about 2 minutes to realize that it was sort of loud and carrying on a conversation would have been hard. I mentioned the tables with umbrellas outside. We agreed that would be better for our “catch up” chat. My friend went to order and I headed toward the door to get us one of those outside tables. That’s when it hit me…I was too short to open the umbrella, and my friend is as short as me. And then I thought of the two men I’d seen pray before their meal.

I boldly walked to their table, apologized for interrupting, explained that I needed help opening an umbrella outdoors at one of the tables and that the reason I was asking them was that I’d seen them praying joyfully before their lunch. The one young man popped up, said, “No problem. Of course, I can help.” I was leading him out to the table and thanking him profusely when he told me, “My name is Landon. What is yours?” I told him it was Kate and that I really appreciated not only his help but his cheer in doing it.

He followed me to the table, and within seconds, Landon had the umbrella raised and secured at the perfect height. I thanked him again and told him how very much I appreciated his help.  

So often in this world, we hear the negative. I’m afraid we also tend to notice the negative more than the positive. I give thanks to the LORD for noticing Landon and his friend and their joyful prayer before their meal. I am thankful for his openness to my needs and his willingness to help me, a stranger.

As we go out and about today, continuing our journeys of faith, hope and love, let us do so realizing that others may see us. What will they see? Will it be something that would lead them to come to us in their need? Would it be something that would tell them of our faith?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.