Chopsticks, Giggles, and a hard lesson learned

Yesterday my best friend celebrated her three-year anniversary with her boyfriend. The cash flow meter was running a little lower then usual when she started to plan, but she still wanted to do something special for him so she decided instead of taking him out for dinner, she would change her apartment into a restaurant and order in. I offered my services as a waitress and the planning began.

Over the next few weeks, we accumulated an assortment of items to morph her place into a beautiful Chinese restaurant. Menus were made, the centerpiece was created, and finally at about 10:00 PM on Valentines Day it all came together. The restaurant was all set up and ready to go.

The plan was for me to be waiting at her apartment when they arrived at the house to pick up the keys she had “accidentally” left behind.

Little did Tammy know, she was getting more then she bargained for. When I was getting ready, I figured that I should play the part the to the best of my ability, so I decided to do my best to morph me to fit the theme of the restaurant. With chopsticks in my bun, my kimono on, fresh flowers in my hair, and my eyes adorned with eyeliner slants- I was ready to go. I looked like I was ready to go trick-or-treating…I looked like a fool, but I was excited and ready to serve.

I paced back and forth waiting for them to come home and when I finally heard the door, I began tot shake and heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. I was so nervous, but I poked my head around the corner and with a large hospitable voice I said, “Welcome! I will be with you in a moment”.

I scuttled around the corner to light the candles on the table, and I could hear snickers of laughter. Her boyfriend whispered jokingly, “I don’t think she’s really Chinese.” Followed by more laughter.

I returned back around the corner, and trying to withhold my laughter I asked “Can I help you?”

She looked at me and said, “Steph, I love you- Thank you so much!” And then we continued with the rest of our pre-rehearsed lines.

Dinner went very well and the laughter was plentiful. I remember on one occasion hearing her boyfriend say to her, “I knew you were up to something, but never in a million years did I expect to see Steph dressed up like a Chinese waitress.”

When I got home, I began to think about what I had done. I went out of my way and made a fool of myself all for the sake of friendship. As I began to think about this more, I realized that I think at times I can be more willing to make a fool of myself for my friends, then I am to make a fool of myself for Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:10 says, “We are fools for Christ's sake…”

Am I more willing to be a fool for friendship sake then for Christ sake? I often see myself worrying that what others will think of me when I am bold in my faith in God, but still I can walk down the street dressed like a Chinese woman, and be happy that I have done something for my friend with not a care in the world of what other may think.

Lord, Please give me the strength to be as bold in my faith as I can so easily be with friends. Please help me to remember that though I may be afraid at times- and though I may look like a fool to others- That it is all for the glory of your name. I do not live for what others may think- I live for you and you alone. - Amen.

Blessings*~

Steph