The Perfect Date

Today I went to lunch with my hubby and across the booth from us was a lady sitting all alone. She caught my attention because it was almost as if she was on the perfect date…with herself.  I actually felt a little envious even though I was having a lovely lunch with my handsome man.

It reminded me of the scene from the movie, The Breakfast Club, where Molly Ringwald is eating lunch in detention with a bunch of high school misfits. As they are taking out their boring lunches, she opens up her neat little lunch box, places a wooden tray on her desk, and proceeds to place a small black Sushi tray on it with her cute little soy sauce bottle. The rest of the misfits just stare at her perfect little lunch in amazement. 

This lady who caught my eye took it upon herself to create the most inviting setting for her lunch date with herself. She ordered her water in a wine glass with a lemon slice on the rim. She opened up her Kindle and propped it up on her little stand so she could read her novel. Soon the waiter placed before her the most appealing black tray with a little scoop of white rice, an entree, a small salad, and a delicious looking red dessert.  I’m so glad her back was to me because YES I was staring.  She looked so elegant, refined, confident, and completely at peace with herself.

I don’t know why she intrigued me so much? As I left the restaurant, I found myself wanting to talk to her. But what could I say? “Wow! You are so cool. I wish I could have been like you when I was younger.” You see, when I was younger I didn't have a lot of confidence. I would never have dared to go to lunch alone. I was insecure, fearful, and I tended to hide behind other people.  Actually, it took me until I turned 40 to start embracing the person God made me: chunky, spunky, and little nutty. I regret wasting so much time worrying about other people's opinions.

I wanted to share the impact this lady’s perfect little lunch had on me today.  Because I don’t want you to be like me and waste another minute thinking you’re not worthy, whether it’s making an ordinary lunch special or asking the God of the Universe to answer your prayers.  Take for example, Friday night I went to church and the pastor asked people to come forward for prayer if they wanted to experience the Holy Spirit’s presence in a deeper way.  I didn't hesitate but jumped right out of my seat. A few years ago, I would have stayed in my seat, convincing myself that my prayers weren't as worthy as someone else and I would rob myself of God’s blessings.  I would be lying if I didn't admit that I still struggle, especially when I don’t see the answer to my prayer manifested the way my human limitations can understand. But my struggle doesn't stop me from getting out of my seat anymore and seeking God's will for my life.

I am writing the following prayer for myself and for you if you are letting fear, a lack of confidence, or feelings of unworthiness hold you back from God:

Lord Jesus, help me not to hide behind feeling of unworthiness or run from the calling You have for my life. Help me to see myself as You see me, as Your precious child. Bring to mind all of my answered prayers and remind me to give thanks for all my many blessings.  Don’t let fear of what others may think prevent me from living the life You have planned for me.  Thank you for loving me long before I ever knew You and thank you that You promised never to leave me or forsake me. Help me to feel Your love so I can share it with others. Amen.

1 John 4:7-19 (NLT)God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.  This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins...And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.  Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.  And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.  Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

Love,

Yolanda