Communion in a Diner

My 88-year-old father has lived with me for ten years.  Prior to that, he spent four in a long-term care community.  So, it’s been almost 15 years since he’s been able to attend the church at which he still holds membership; a church that is now almost an hour from home.  He listens to the sermons every week.  He reads the newsletter each month.  And he corresponds with the Pastor who he has never met in person.  Until this week.

Monday, we met Pastor A. and a long-time friend of my father, Barbara (who is also in her 80’s), at a diner halfway between church and our home.  When my dad lived on his own, Barbara would often visit bringing chicken noodle soup – her trademark.  It was a touching reunion and a special introduction.  

We chatted for a few minutes and then Pastor A. read from Psalm 71:14-19 “But I will always hope and will praise You more and more.  My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.  I will enter in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will proclaim Your righteousness—Yours alone.  O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.  Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?”

And then, with his Bible as the alter, Pastor A. placed communion elements on top and blessed them.  We prayed and took communion together.  The first time my father has had communion in years.  It was a beautiful moment; one in which I felt the Father’s presence.  And I was reminded as I sat in the middle of the diner, that church is wherever the Father is.

^“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20).  

For two hours we sat, ate, and talked about the precious love of God.  About our lives, our ministries, and the desperate need to reach those who don’t yet know the Lord as Savior.  We talked about how so often we think of mission work as being in some far-off country.  The truth is, we live in our own mission fields.  In our homes, our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and communities.  We overlook the obvious opportunities to make a difference; almost as if we think them inconsequential.  

We think if we aren’t a great orator or a Bible scholar, we aren’t qualified.  Sometimes, I’d even say often, it isn’t what you say to someone, but rather what your actions say.

In that busy diner on a Monday morning, countless people saw four believers holding church.  They saw us unashamed as we displayed our faith.  Not for show, but out of love and honor for our Father.  Praising and worshipping outside the traditional walls of a sanctuary.    

Let’s be honest.  There are too many who pray before meals at home but are too embarrassed to do so in public.  Who will lay hands and pray aloud with loved ones in their living room but wouldn’t be comfortable doing so in public.  Who take communion at church but wouldn’t dream of doing so in a diner.

Let me be clear, I don’t say these things to infer that I am better than anyone else.  I fall short of the glory of God every moment of every day.  I say these things to challenge you. 

“O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.” 

God is calling each of us to step out boldly in faith.  Not just to the next generation in age; but to those of us younger in spiritual maturity.  To those who don’t yet know the salvation of Jesus Christ. To proclaim to them His power.  Through our words. Through our actions.  Through our behaviors.  This is not the time to be afraid.  This is not the time to back down.  This is not the time to choose comfort over God.  This is certainly not the time to be politically correct out of fear of offending someone.  There is nothing more offensive than spending eternity in Hell.

So, when I’ve fallen flat on my face, once again, my God says, “Rhonda, get up.   I know you think you’ve got nothing to offer.  You’re wrong.  Get up! I’m not done growing you.  I’m not done using you.”  Because now more than ever, we are in a spiritual battle for the salvation of the world as we know it.  There are only two sides.  You can be a warrior for God.  Or a soldier for the enemy.  

I’ve chosen my side.  I will get up.  Again, and again and again.  I’ll beg for forgiveness. I’ll pray for courage.  I’ll praise Him for the opportunity to be used, wherever He needs me.

For Him, I’ll take communion in a diner.