One of the things I learned in Bible School is that today's ministers are supposed to be transparent. Very few people can connect with ministers who seem to have it all together. Even fewer can connect with ministers who like to talk about how they have it all together. Growing up my mom used to always say to me, "Aaron, you need to learn to laugh at yourself." In an effort to please my mom and my Bible School instructors, I've decided to start the year off with revealing my most embarrassing moment to you, my loyal readers.
I was 21 years old and working full time as a waiter at Steak N Shake, a popular restaurant here in the Midwest. For those unfamiliar with Steak N Shake, think of a restaurant that resembles a 50's diner-a step above fast food but not as high on the status scale as an Applebee's or a Houlihans. Due to an extremely short staff that evening, one of the managers called me in to work at the last minute. I didn't want to work on a Sunday evening, but I decided to go in anyway since I needed the extra cash...and because the manager on duty really needed the help.
I'm not sure whether God was getting even with me for breaking the Christian Sabbath or whether it was just plain bad luck, but I'll never forget how it seemed like the entire state of Missouri showed up to eat at Steak N Shake that evening...with only me and one other guy waiting tables. (Note to hypercritical theologians...the above sentence regarding divine retribution for working on a Sunday is a literary device, not a doctrinal statement). There must have been at least 50-75 people all wanting service at the same time. Put that in combination with an individual such as myself who gets really flustered when he's in a hurry and who happens to be gracefully challenged...and you have a disaster waiting to happen.
One table in particular started out with two shakes, a side of coleslaw, and a cup of soup, a coca cola and three glasses of water. Nothing unusual. I'd filled hundreds of orders like this before. Why this had to happen on a day when the entire restaurant was full, I'll never know but just as I was getting ready to hand my customers their order, I slipped and fell flat on my ...note to editors...derriere. The tray went flying and there was broken glass everywhere. I even managed to get a good portion of the chocolate shake in a female customer's shoulder length hair.
If this were where the story ended, it would be embarrassing enough. Unfortunately for me and my customers, the story doesn't end here. After cleaning up my mess I had to go back to fill the customers order a second time. As I walked out onto the floor, I could feel the intensity of every eye in the restaurant staring straight at me, wondering what was going to happen. With every eye glued on me and me alone (at least that's what it felt like at the time), I attempted to deliver my customers' order a second time and, what do you know, my foot slipped again and I landed flat on my back with my arms sprawled across the floor. Again, glass went flying everywhere and, again, the same lady received the same amount of chocolate shake in her hair as the first time.
After I fell the second time I went to my manager and begged him not to make me go back out and face the same crowd. "For the love of everything sacred and holy please don't make me go back out there," I pleaded. Even as I was pleading with my manager to let me go on break, I knew it wasn't going to happen. We were too short-staffed and there were simply too many people in the restaurant. For the third time I had to take the walk of shame, only this time people had literally cleared the aisles to prepare a path for me to walk. They were fleeing for their lives. Thankfully, on my third try I was able to deliver the order to my customers and to my utter amazement, the lady with the chocolate shake in her hair even left me a sizable tip on the way out.
A very wise king once said, "For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again," (Proverbs 24:16). While I hope and pray that everyone reading these words are doing wonderful and feeling great, I know that for some, perhaps many, that is simply not the case. Perhaps you've reached a place in your life where it feels like everything you touch turns to sand. Maybe you're attempting for the 7th time the same New Year's resolution. Maybe you've suffered a failed business, or a failed marriage. Maybe you've fallen away from God and feel that you've been out of the race for too long to get back in. Perhaps you've dropped out of church because of a root of bitterness you've allowed to take hold in your heart. Whoever you are and whatever your situation, know that you are not alone. It's not the fact that you've fallen that defines you. It's whether you get back up. If you feel like you've fallen too many times to be able to hold your head up high, perhaps your Heavenly Father has led you to read the words of this clumsy, flustered preacher to deliver this message to your soul at the start of 2008.
Happy New Year!
Your race isn't over yet.
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Aaron Taylor is a seasoned missionary evangelist who has traveled to over 20 nations for the cause of Christ. Aaron is currently working on his book "Reformation: A Biblical Response to Holy War." If you would like to invite Aaron to speak at your church or event, you can contact him at fromdeathtolife@gmail.com For more information on Aaron, go to http://www.greatcommissionsociety.com or http://www.aarondtyalor.blogspot.com
Aaron D. Taylor is an author, a speaker, and the founder of Great Commission Society, an organization dedicated to sharing the love of Christ and serving Christians living in countries hostile to the gospel. Aaron is the author of "Alone with a Jihadist" a book scheduled to be released in January 2009.
To contact Aaron, go to http://www.greatcommissionsociety.com
Aaron blogs at http://www.aarondtaylor.blogspot.com
» left by April Lorier(0) April Lorier (335 days 22 hours ago.)
Aaron, about a hundred years ago I was a waitress at an IHOP in El Paso. Something similar happened to me, so I know the humiliation you spoke of in this article! One question: You are a righteous man, so does this mean you have five more falls coming? :-]
Yes, most of us, if not all, have failed in some respect during the last year. Isn't it good news that Jesus is in the reclamation business? He's the God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and more chances. That's what makes me love him so much!
I added your blog to my blog. Hope you get lots of visitors! And please, keep laughing at yourself! It's very attractive! (Your mom was right, you know!) Respond to this comment
» left by Aaron Taylor (335 days 21 hours ago.)
I certainly hope it doesn't mean I'll have 5 more embarrassing moments like this one! Thank God for Grace!
» left by Teresa Ortiz(4,920) Teresa Ortiz (334 days 4 hours ago.)
Hi Aaron, I was smiling and I have to admit, your fall was worse than mine. I wrote about it a week or so ago, you may have seen it. It's good to know that God has a sense of humor - He must otherwise He would not have made me so clumbsy - thanks for the transperancy and sharing this wonderful story. May God bless you as you continue to serve Him in 2008! Teresa Respond to this comment
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