I had a disturbing experience at a Christian-run business recently, and it highlighted just how easily I can be disappointed in people. The disappointment tends to feel more acute when it's a Christian who has gone out of their way to cause a problem.
I went to a restaurant in Muncie, Indiana, to order a gyro. I really enjoy gyros, but there really are not many places in East Central Indiana that serves them, so it is a rare treat when I buy one.
I have been long aware that the restaurant's owners were Christians. There is a subtle witnessing in the place, which includes music from a fairly local Christian radio station. That doesn't bother me, provided I'm not subjected to an overtly political broadcast.
That means that I do not want to hear Focus on the Family, or most anything from James Dobson, Franklin Graham (what a disappointment he turned out to be) or Tony Perkins.
That is another story, however.
While I paid for my order, the owner commented that he was short on one-dollar bills. I happened to have five singles, and offered to trade them for a five-dollar bill.
He turned me down, but then said, "You could give me those five singles, instead."
I have been hit up by strangers before, and I have donated to quite a few people who looked to be down on their luck. It is only fair to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and it is commanded that we help others in the Bible.
But never before have I had a successful businessman suggest I give him money so that he could make up his balance of small bills.
When I was not as forthcoming as he wanted, he then said, "Come on, man, don't deny me my blessing."
A line was crossed in that moment. I left the restaurant with my food and, as far as I'm concerned, I will never set foot in that place again. That saddens me, because I really liked the food they made.
It also makes me wonder if he has done similar things to other customers before.
This was not the first time I have offered to sell small bills to a Christian businessperson in a time of need.
In the summer of 2017, there was some event going on in downtown Redkey, where there were a lot of vendors set up. One food truck was operated by a local Christian ministry. I frequent it whenever she sets up because: 1. I like food trucks, and 2. Their proceeds goes to missionary work.
I first visited this truck at a local auction a year before, and I loved the breaded tenderloin sandwich I bought. Definitely a Hoosier food choice.
On the day of the event, business was booming, and after awhile, the ministry director had a lot of large bills, but was fast running out of small bills and quarters.
Normally, the woman who ran the ministry would get her change at the nearest Walmart Supercenter, just a little over ten miles away in Portland. This particular Walmart does not have a bank branch or a credit union inside. The service desk, citing concerns over counterfeit bills supposedly circulating in our part of Indiana, refused to sell her change.
By some coincidence, I happened to have sixty dollars in change and small bills, which doesn't happen often, and tends to be annoying when it does. Twenty dollars in ones really stuffs a wallet, and more then ten dollars in change really weighs down a pocket. I offered the director a trade of that sixty dollars for three twenties, and she accepted.
I retrieved the money and we completed our trade. While I greatly appreciated the free order of French fries I received as a way of thanking me, what made me feel good inside was that I helped to alleviate her stress, and allowed her food truck to stay open longer.
Her business I will frequent again, whenever I come across it. It was a pleasure helping her, and it didn't put me in an uncomfortable position.
That is all for now.
Peace be unto you.
