Words From 'A': Divine Internship

Hello Everyone! We have another new writer who wanted to share a wonderful experience with all of you. We will refer to her as 'A'. Enjoy and G-d Bless:

I was studying for an exam in a café one afternoon. The material was very challenging, so I was becoming frustrated. I thought to myself, “There is no way I am going to pass this stupid test!” All of the questions are so nit-picky, and I kept getting them wrong!” I let out an exasperated sigh, and said to myself, “L-rd, I have no idea how I’m going to pass this test!”

As I took a mental break, my mind and eyes began to wander around the café. I noticed a guy sitting at the table in front of mine. He had shaggy hair, several visible tattoos, and at least four ear piercings. He was hunched over a paperback book and was slowly sipping his coffee with every turn of a page. His back was towards me, so I was able to read the back of his shirt. It was his uniform for work (Texas Roadhouse Restaurant), and it said in big letters, “I love my job!” I chuckled to myself, wondering how many of the restaurant’s employees were forced to wear that shirt. How many of those employees secretly hated their job, or at the very least, “liked it”, but not “loved it”?

Feeling a little inquisitive and slightly cheeky, I called out to him, “So…do you love your job?” The man looked up from his book and turned to face me with a smile. “Actually, I do love my job!” He looked up to the ceiling for a few seconds pensively and then back at me. “You want to know why I like my job?” “Sure.”, I said. The man turned in his chair so that he was sitting sideways, and draped his arm across the back of it.

“Because it gives me the opportunity to serve people, and give them a break from their hectic day for twenty-thirty minutes. I get to be a part of their lives…and talk to them. They don’t have to worry about cooking a meal at that time. It’s funny, but I ask myself: If Jesus were a server, how would he do this job?” His reference to Jesus reminded me of how Jesus washed the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper. It was totally unexpected. I mean, here was the Son of G-d, washing their feet?! They were not even worthy to be in his presence, and he got down on his knees, and washed the dirt and grime from the apostles feet. We often forget how much Jesus humbled himself; and that we need to do the same for others.

The man continued with his speech. He said, “We all have different talents and gifts that G-d gives us, and it is up to us to use them wisely. I may be a server, but I will try to do the best job that I can while I am here on Earth. Then he went on to say, “I wasn’t always like this. Before I found Jesus and became religious, I just wanted the job that would pay me the most money. I never worried about which job it was, or how I performed. I didn’t care whether or not I was putting forth any effort! But now, I want to do G-d’s will. For me, right now, it’s to serve people in this capacity.

I was impressed by how he saw his job. I had never thought of a waiter really “serving” people before.

The young man tilted his head to the side and smiled. He said, “Now I realize that money or fancy things are not important, because none of those things last. You can’t take them with you to heaven. You can only take your faith in G-d with you. If you think about it, life is kind of like an internship for heaven. We are here for preparation of what is to come.” I smiled and agreed. I really liked the way he phrased that statement.

Then he looked at the time on his cell phone, and said, “Actually, I have to get going to my job. My shift is about to start. But before I go, can I pray with you about anything?” I was surprised that this stranger wanted to pray with me. How often do any of us stop and ask a stranger if they would like someone to pray with them? I told him about my test, and let him know that I would greatly appreciate his prayers. So he sat down at my table and bowed his head.

Dear L-rd, please allow your grace to help this young lady remember all the information for which she has so diligently studied. Please guide her choices during the test, so that she may pass it. Please be there to guide her in her daily life, as she takes cares of and heals your children. Allow her to use her talents and gifts that you have given her to the best of her ability. Please watch over her always. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. I thanked him as he got up from the table. He shook my hand and said, “G-d bless you.” He turned, picked up his book and left the café.

I was so touched that I started to cry. I was suddenly overcome with a sense of peace and calm. I felt Jesus talking to my heart, “Don’t worry, my child, I am here with you always.”

I wiped my eyes, and thanked G-d silently. I drove home that evening with a new renewed vigor. I was inspired to perform my best during this Divine Internship that we call life.

-A-