Because of the overflowing generosity of our church family, Grace and I had the very rare experience of fine dining at a five-star restaurant for our 19th wedding anniversary last month. But our experience had an amusing flavor to it. Let me go back to the beginning.
Church members had put together their resources to sponsor our dinner (topping a Bed-and-Breakfast treat). It was a surprise so we had no idea how much had been collected. And we did not know what kind of arrangement was made for the dinner. We were just told to go and enjoy the experience. So we figured that we were to pay for the dinner and then we would be reimbursed up to the amount that was collected for this purpose.
Anyway, we went. We did know that the cost of the dinner was going to be way beyond what we had ever spent before. And we were ready. So we sat back and really enjoyed the full two-hour dining experience. Both the food and the service were remarkable! When we reached the time for dessert, we started computing in our heads what the total cost would be. And, of course, how much gratuity should be added to the total.
Finally, the headwaiter came. We prepared to receive the bill. Then, she said, “Everything’s been taken care of.” We looked at each other. And, almost in unison, we could only respond, “Oh.” Then she left. You should have seen our faces then. We were pleasantly surprised. But then we were also perplexed. Should we still leave a tip? But how much? We had no idea how much the meal cost. And normally tips are computed on that basis. We were concerned about leaving an amount that might insult the waiters. But then we also considered the fact that the gratuity may have already been included when the bill was “taken care of.”
So what did we do? We went out of the restaurant as fast as we could and laughed our way to the parking lot. We couldn’t stop laughing for a long time that night.
Upon reflection, our experience reminded me of how many times the abounding generosity of the Lord has overwhelmed me to the point of pleasant disorientation. God’s goodness is just so overwhelming that I am at a loss how to respond. And I realize that all I can do is say, “Thank you.” With my words, with my life.
To all you dear friends who graced us with your generosity: Thank you! You provided an ideal picture and a tangible reminder of God’s overflowing goodness.
–Keith Y. Jainga