We greeted her with warm words, letting her know that she had gorgeous eyes. Because she did. But her aqua blue eyes against caramel colored skin were missing something: joy. She took our order and smiled as she walked away, but her eyes betrayed her heart.
My coworker noticed the same thing and said, I think we should talk to her. My Southern coworker is from Mississippi so she can darn near say anything with her accent and make anyone her instant BFF. When our server returned she chatted with her about her lovely eyes and their shared history of both being from Jackson, Mississippi… until I interrupted their Southern-Love-Fest with, So why are you here? Why’d you come to Los Angeles?
Growing up in LA my whole life allowed my clandestine question-behind-the-question to see if she’d share what was going on behind those beautiful aqua eyes. Let’s get real: this is LA, The City of Dreams! If someone that gorgeous is waiting tables at a posh spot on Grand Avenue, they’re an aspiring model, actress, dancer, or writer.
What am I doing here, she rhetorically asked. I don’t even know anymore. Her voice trailed off as she turned and walked away, but I heard it. I heard her fragile dreams crack into pieces.
Proverbs 18:21 says that there is life and death in the power of the tongue. I felt like I needed to tell her something specific, something that Someone was urging me to say. We all knew we had to do something, but we didn’t know what. Being one for words, I advocated we leave her a note. On the back of the receipt, I simply wrote:
Dear X*…
Thank you so much for a fabulous lunch! You were a wonderful server and we loved your recommendations.
We also want to tell you that we believe in your and your dreams. And so does Jesus. Don’t give up… He hasn’t forgotten about you or the plan for your life. We’re praying for you!
Love,
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 [one face for each of us]
I left her a big tip [because Christians are notorious for being bad tippers according to my waitress friends] and left Bottega Louie with a small prayer that the word spoken over her life was God-given.
I stopped for a quick moment to drool over the French pastries in the bakery before I left the restaurant. As I exited I saw a the back of woman who looked slightly familiar hugging my coworkers. As the woman turned around, I recognized her aqua-colored eyes filled with tears. I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know what to say! She fumbled over her words and wiped tears from her eyes.
We didn’t know what to tell her. But God did. David said, My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of skillful writer [Psalm 45:1]. I’m not a skillful writer like David, but I believe there is power of life or death in our words. For the girl with aqua colored eyes, one God-given note may have been the strength she needed to rebuild her dreams.
*God knows her name… and that’s all that matters. 😉
Love this story! Thanks for sharing:) I need to be more mindful to speak words of encouragement to others.
Love ya, Brit!
Bianca,
I literally cried reading this. I lived in LA over the summer and fell in LOVE with Bottega Louie. I have spent the last 11 months on a mission trip called the World Race- going to 11 countries around the world, and in 15 days I’ll be coming home. It’s SO good to hear that there are people in the states- giving words of encouragement, using the power of their tongue for life, and speaking life and LOVE over people- regardless of the location or situation. Thank you so much for this fantastic reminder that the Love of Christ doesn’t stop with a mission trip ending. It’s everywhere if we are bold and allow him to work through us.
Thank you again.
Stephanie
WHOA!!! That’s awesome! I pray your journey back home is filled with rest and joy. xo
My goodness, you people have stunningly beautiful hearts. Thank you for being an image of Christianity we can be proud of (and aspire to)
We all are aspiring to “be”…
I love ya.
Yes….. and speaking of wanting to “be”, don’t think I didn’t notice you not filling in the __________ when we met up! Such a tease! ;p
Bianca….as I read your post I kept thinking would my group of friends and I do that if we were out for brunch. Shamefully I say probably not. We`d be too busy yakkin` (Well they`d be yakkin`, I`m more of a listener.), caught up in our own little world…
Thank you for reminding me that God sends us big opportunities in the most ordinary, daily activities and interactions…
Matthew 25:21a to all 5 of you
so beautiful…i wrote about something similar today! Oh lord give us eyes to see your children and call out the dreams in them! love your heart!
that’s beautiful, Bianca!
I know the Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue but I never looked at it as being able to “speak” my dreams into being with God’s favor, of course. 🙂
After reading this, I am more encouraged to not only reach for my dreams, but speak positively about my future.
Thanks! 🙂
Such a awesome story of boldness. I definitely need to think about other people more often instead of being selfish… Even if that person is our waitress.
Luke 12:11-12
11“When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
———————
Granted, your waitress was surely not a ruler, Queen, or any such thing, but consider that right in front of the rulers of the air, (being principalities of evil), you spoke to this woman what needed to be said, defying the blatant oppression the enemy had put on her, and The Spirit flowed through you to minister to her. I’m a firm believer that accidental moments are just glossed-over encounters of spiritual warfare, even though they seem innocent enough.
You defied The World and spoke Truth to her. Boom. Jesus 1. Enemy 0. Your obedience, bravery, boldness, and genuine spirit causes my heart to smile. It’s refreshing to see such uncompromising faith.
Also, where are the guy commenters? Looks like a buncha chicks ’round here! 🙂
Hahahahah! You’re blazing trails up in here. 😉 I get emails from guys who have thoughts on certain topics but they rarely comment. It’s all good. I’ve got TeamDonald to take charge! 😉
“TeamDonald”! LOL! You have no idea how scary that would really be… 🙂
You have such a beautiful soul, and your faith is inspiring. I teared up reading this. Thanks for sharing.
Amazing and powerful message,, we all have a dream hidden behind our smiles or aqua colored eyes.. thanks God because he talks to me through your site a LOT..