The One Who Showed Up

You could hear it in his voice before we even pulled to the window — tired, overwhelmed, half-present. The length of time it took before he even took our order said everything. This stop was going to cost us time we didn't have.

But, in rural nowhereville, a lukewarm cup of Burger King coffee was the only game in town, so we waited.

When we finally reached the window, he offered a quiet apology: "So sorry for the wait. We're extremely understaffed today." One look at the empty parking lot told the whole story. He was the only one who showed up. Eventually, we collected our food and went to pay. Knowing he was doing the best he could and was feeling the pressure, we decided to give him a generous tip, which when we saw his response, isn't a standard practice at that establishment.

His face changed completely. "Really?!" He actually stepped back. Then, as we pulled away, he called out — "God bless you."

One man, holding down the fort, doing the work of several. And he meant it.

I don't know that young man's story. What I know is this: he showed up. When his coworkers didn't, he did. He had a job to do and he was there doing it.

"Those unwilling to work will not get to eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10) 

Paul's words to the Thessalonians cut right to it — "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat... settle down and work to earn your own living... never get tired of doing good." In other words: shut your face, mind your business, do your job, and look for someone to lift up along the way.

Show up today. Don't look for someone else to carry your load. Be the hardest working person in whatever room you walk into — not because anyone's watching, but because that's who you are. Stop scrolling, stop comparing, stop whining, stop throwing shade and stop waiting for conditions to be perfect. You can't control what anyone else does. What you can control is whether you are there. Pick up a broom and sweep, even if it isn't your mess or you feel like the only one holding a broom.

And once you've done something you're proud to put your name on — look up. One small gesture, a tip, a kind word, a moment of genuine acknowledgment — can completely change the trajectory of someone else's day.

The young man at the window didn't need a sermon. He needed someone to notice he was still there. Be that person.