True Hope and a Future

As parents, we all experience a strange time of transition when our children go from little people that we spend all our time with to bigger people who choose for themselves with whom they’ll spend their time. I’ve heard it said that “love” is spelled T-I-M-E, and in this stage of my life that really makes sense.

For the last couple years, when my son has asked me what I’d like for my birthday, my response has been the same, “a date.” I don’t need anything from him, but I do want to spend time with him. Well, last Monday was the big day. I wasn’t sure how much time I’d get; I was just happy to have made it on to his calendar (not that he actually has one.)

We ended up spending the entire afternoon together – first lunch, then a movie, then to the mall to buy a birthday gift for him since his birthday is just two days before mine. Since I was feeling lucky, I even asked if we could stop at the store on the way home. I was on a roll!

While I thoroughly enjoyed the six hours we spent together, what will stay with me is what happened after lunch. Being the cheap date that I am, I had a ten dollar coupon for a particular restaurant, so we ate there. When it came time to pay, I glanced over at the check to see what he left for a tip. I wanted to make sure he tipped on the full bill rather than after the discount.

What I saw shocked me: a double digit tip on a rather inexpensive lunch! Rather than profit from the coupon himself he gave it to the waitress, leaving her a tip in excess of 50%!

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” ~ Proverbs 11:25
Both of my children work for tips; Cassie is a waitress and Ryan is a valet at a downtown hotel. Minimum wage for them is truly minimal – $2.85 an hour, so their incomes rely heavily on the generosity of others.

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: `Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.” ~ Zechariah 7:9
Ryan had compassion on the waitress and was generous because he’s in the same situation that she is in. As we left the restaurant, Ryan said, “I’ll bet I made her day!” Probably, Ryan; I know you made mine.

Father, thank you for teaching me through my children. Help me to show others the generosity and compassion that you have shown to me.