A GOOD MORNING FOR US ALL
“Good Morning, Lord! Thank you for waking me up this morning. I am so glad you are with me today.” Benjamin had made his mind up to thank God every morning since his release from prison. Acknowledging his presence and asking Him to travel the day with him had made a big difference. It seemed to change how things went during the day. You were assured of his help when you needed it.
Today he was supposed to open the McDonald’s on Roosevelt Road, west of Manheim Road. His schedule said that he should be there by 4:30 am. It was the first time Mr. Mercury put him in charge of one of his stores. Getting to work on time was very important to Benjamin. The rain made it look like travel would be slow, so he left the house at 2:30. Barry was supposed to be on duty early with him this morning. Barry was a long time employee and management thought he would help Benjamin to open the restaurant. Benjamin and Barry had worked the same shifts before. Benjamin had noticed Barry’s work habits and was preparing himself mentally for extra work this morning.
The rain made for a cold morning, but traffic was light and Benjamin made it in an hour. Pulling in to the parking lot, he could see what looked like a bundle sitting near the front door. As he parked his car he could see it was a person sitting out of the rain under the roof edge. He wasn’t afraid for himself, but the security of the store was a concern. Barry would be along in the next hour, he would be extra careful until then.
As he approached the door, the bundle spoke. “Good Morning! It is kind of wet and cold to be out this morning.” Benjamin replied, You are right, would you like a cup of coffee when I get the pot going?” “That would be very nice,” the man in the tarp said.
Benjamin went into the restaurant closing and locking the door behind him. Pleasantries aside I must be careful of the store security. He looked around the dining area to see what needed to be done. The night crew had left the place in a mess. The tables were dirty and pushed together. At least they mopped the floor before leaving. Going to the kitchen he started to get the coffee and other machines ready for the day.
Outside the man thought about what had happened. I have been thrown out of places. The police have been called to make me move, but I have never been offered a cup of coffee. The man adjusted the tarp around himself trying to get warm. His mother was sick. He was traveling as fast as he could to see her. Moving so quickly had not allowed him to eat properly for two days. His stomach thought his throat had been cut. He mumbles, “Where can I get something to eat, Lord. I have no money and I smell like a dead rat. No one will take pity on me in this condition.”
Benjamin remembered he had offered the man a cup of coffee. Better get it started. After getting the coffee started, he turned on the fryers, grill and the microwave. Then, he began to pull together the big breakfast items in his mind. When everything was flowing thru him, he could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and gratitude for God’s Grace in getting this job.
Just as he finished fixing two breakfasts, his phone rang. Barry was calling to say he was not coming in today. Now he had an extra breakfast, nobody was expected before 6:00 a.m. He wouldn’t throw out any food. “Oh, well, when you get a blessing, pass it on to those around you. I bet that guy out in the rain would like to eat breakfast.” Hey, man the coffee is ready!! Benjamin still had the bathrooms and all the tables to clean.
“Did you say the coffee was ready?” the man in the tarp asked. He was standing outside the door looking in.
Benjamin, walking over to the door to open it, said, “How would like to eat breakfast, too.” I’ve got two breakfasts prepared. I bet you could use a break from the cold weather. Come on in and sit down.” Benjamin remembered being in solitary for three days. The memory of how he felt without being able to wash. He could smell the man as he stepped thru the door. “Would you like to freshen up in the bathroom before sitting down to breakfast?” Benjamin asked.
Hot water and privacy are special gifts to be receiving from someone who could have just walked past you. I wonder if he knows how grateful I am for those two little gifts. May God bless him for his generosity? I am no longer a smelly lump of revulsion. I have been restored to being a human-being. These are the thoughts of the man in the tarp as he leaves the bathroom to receive breakfast.
Benjamin and the man, whose name was Simon sat and talked, as they ate their breakfast. Simon was traveling to his home in Wisconsin. The last leg of his journey was with a trucker.
Benjamin explained that he was learning the restaurant business. He knew that the owner of the McDonald’s was testing him to see if he could handle the problems that arise in the start of the day.
“Simon it is time for you to go now. “I am glad I could be of assistance to you on your journey, but I have a lot of work to do to get ready for business today. I hate to push you back out into the rainy weather.” Benjamin said, as they finished eating.
“I see that you have a lot of work to do. Can I be of assistance to you now? I don’t have to be at the truck stop until 4:45. So I would like to help you with these tables. I can help you to clean up and arrange an eating area. Can I do this with you? Simon asked.
Thirty minutes later, the tables had been cleaned and arranged. Simon was clean, well fed and ready to finish his journey home. Benjamin was more at ease, forgiving of Barry for not showing up and ready to greet the rest of the staff who were about to arrive. He had survived his first of many tests for running a business.
God is wonderful. Look, see how many miracles he has performed in such a short period of time.