I had such a long night at work tonight.
As I thought back on my night after I got home, I was wondering why tonight in particular seemed so bad. There were a few things that it could have been...the two people I was working with were not doing their fair share of the work. Most of the night it seemed like it was me doing all of the work; I would be taking orders, but no one would be making the drinks. Then, when I went to make the drinks, it seemed like no one would be taking orders. It was definitely frustrating.
But that wasn't the reason I had such a bad night. I haven't really been able to figure it out until just now.
Tonight I really realized how truly broken our world is. I am desperately trying to be a light for Christ in my work place. I try to represent Him well. Some ways I do that is by working diligently and doing my best to do my job well. I was also recently blessed enough to have some awesome Jesus conversations with two of my co-workers, and I've been making some progress at building a positive relationship with the agnostic cook (who apparently hates everyone). All of this happened on Wednesday. Tonight, however, was quite a different experience. I was so stoked after work on Wednesday, and I think tonight I was under some serious spiritual attack. Satan is not pleased that God is starting to penetrate into Aroma's.
Tonight was different than any other night I have worked at Aroma's. I know that my co-workers are lost, and God has definitely been opening my eyes to the world's need for a Savior. But tonight was like a punch to the gut. It was so hard to listen to some of the things my co-workers were talking about and watch them do some of the things they were doing. We lead such different lives! One of my co-workers was flirting with some guy she's recently been involved with, and the other one was off sending dirty texts to his boyfriend. My heart was just aching over our brokenness. We are all so desperately in need of a Savior! It was surprisingly difficult for me.
Also, we had quite a different crowd tonight. I usually work in the mornings, so I typically deal with customers who are on their way to work, or are business people from the area. Tonight was not quite the same demographic. Most people were still very friendly, but then we had the occasional customer who was not quite so polite. We had a few guy customers that were not quite as respectful as the guys that I usually hang out with. It wasn't anything particularly appalling; it was just so different than what I am used to. I didn't realize how quickly I came to expect that guys would be respectful!
In high school I was very used to guys being...less than chivalrous. I actually came to expect it. Then I came to college. The guys I hang out with now are such awesome men of God. I seriously have some of the best guy friends a girl could ask for. I have just come to realize how much I take them for granted. But, if you guys are reading this- thank you so much for being respectful. It really means a lot. It is such a refreshing change of pace, and so different from most guys our age.
One guy I was talking to at work the other day was staring at these girls. When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was “window shopping.” Just looking to enjoy the view, maybe try on a few things, but not interested in buying anything. He said that “its a guy thing.” With out even thinking I replied, “Not the guys I hang out with. They're very respectful.” I am so blessed to not have to worry about that when I hang out with my friends! They don't look at women as items to be gawked at; they value us a God's creation. I am so thankful for that.
I really started to see this recently, especially when I was in Toronto. A few of the neighborhoods we were in were not in the best part of town, so it wasn't really safe for a girl to be walking around all alone. The guys were so great about making sure that we had an “escort” when we went somewhere. It was so great to know that they were looking out for us, and they were there to protect us if we needed it.
The other day, I was walking with a friend of mine. We were walking through the parking lot, and he moved to walk on the side by the cars because “there are some crazy drivers...just to be safe.” No one has ever done that for me before! I was completely taken aback. I didn't even know how to respond. I am so blessed to have friends like that! It really helps remind me of how God created community to be. It is something that is encouraging, not draining.
When I got off of work, I was craving that community. I called my room mate and asked if we could please do something with a group of our friends when I got back from work, even though it was 11 pm. Some of our friends came over to play some games, and I can't even tell you how encouraging it was just to be able to hang out with them. They are such awesome people. It was such a great change of pace from the rest of my night. I am so thankful for their friendship, and am so grateful to God for opening my eyes to the blessing that He has given me in their friendship. So, to all my lady friends- thanks for being awesome and low drama. You girls are great, and such a blessing! Guy friends- thanks SO much for being respectful, protective, and chivalrous. The world needs more guys like you.
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