In the Valley

It was a deep valley. Sadness and shame. Just a few days previous, I had been abandoned by my best friend. My partner. A very godly person. Because of my own actions, my request for forgiveness was denied.
On this Saturday night, at the bottom, I could have used a friend. But I didn’t seem to have one - they all sided with my partner. I was the "guilty party,” everyone said. I had repented, but I wondered if God had abandoned me too.
How long Lord? Will you be angry forever?
Anyway, I guess I wasn’t as much depressed as I was hungry!
I called my favorite buffet restaurant. Closed. It was getting pretty late.
I called some others too. Closed. I called all of the buffet restaurants in the entire metropolitan area. Closed. Even the Chinese ones.  Closed.
Except one. A Golden Corral. As long as I arrived before the doors were locked I could stay to eat as long as I liked.  It sounded like a plan!
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
I arrived with a few moments to spare. Patronage was sparse. Almost as many waiters as diners - certainly I would receive great service from my waiter.
He was a confident young man. Built like a very serious football player – over six feet tall and maybe 225 pounds. Maybe more.  Wide shoulders.  Strong. 
A wise man is strong.
He gave me a plate and one paper napkin. Charles then hurried away to resume a conversation with some folks waiting over in the corner. Obviously more interested in talking with his friends than in doing his job of serving me.
I got my food. Sat back down. And spilled some beet juice. It looked like blood.
I hoped to wave down Charles so he could bring me more napkins. I searched the restaurant and saw him over in another corner. Talking with still other friends!
Just a few days previous in my days of darkness, I would have been peeved. Make that ‘more than peeved.’ What’s it called when you kick over tables and stuff?
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
But now, after my repentance, in the light, by the grace of God, my outlook had changed. I was curious to see what God had in the works.
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know…
Charles eventually returned to my table. I asked for more napkins. And rather than complain about his seemingly inattentive service, I kidded him a little. In a good natured tone, with a smile, “You sure seem to have a lot of friends!”
A merry heart does good, like medicine…
To explain his unusual conversations, this hulk of a man leaned over, moving his face close to mine so I could not possibly miss the gravity of his conviction:
“I’m sorry you had to wait, sir.  But, you see, I am a Christian.  Those people I was speaking to over there were not old friends.  They were folks I had just met.  But they had not yet met Jesus.”
I was astonished! Partly because of his boldness and conviction. But mostly because I realized God had led us together. In my time of need. My valley.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…my cup runs over…
I told him I was also a believer. And of my sadness. And sin. And repentance.  I told him I thought God wanted him to pray for me, thinking he had a prayer list.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you will be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
‘Stand up!’ Charles ordered right away. He embraced me, hugging me powerfully as he prayed God’s comfort and joy on me. Out loud. Right there by my table. By the buffet of food.
Right away, I received God’s comfort. And then joy. Both flourishing to this day!
Blessed be God…the Father of mercies….Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Charles was a waiter. And even more so, Charles was a witness! While ministering to me, someone else, no doubt, had to wait a few moments  for a plate or fork or extra napkins.  While I was being fed.
It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."