Being back in the world of “quick service” (NOT fast food!) has been quite an adventure to say the least.  A lot of what I used to do there has not changed, but just enough has to keep me on my toes and/or totally missing the mark!

One of the new rules for me is to get a name for each order, especially during rush times, to help identify the customer when the food is ready.  After about an hour of purely hectic lunch time, I found myself asking my next customer, “Can I have an order for your name?”  I had evidently waited on one customer too many to keep up with, and it was hilarious.  We also have table markers for guests, and they are identified by color and what food is pictured on them.  I was handed a meal to take to a customer, and was told “red nuggets”.  All I heard was nuggets, to which I promptly told my co-worker, “There’s no nuggets on here!”  More laughter, this time from my co-workers!

But I realized something. Although I am still “new” at this process, and the faster I go right now, the more mistakes I make, my co-workers are very gentle and helpful in correcting those mistakes.  One day it will be second nature to me, but not right now.  God spoke to my heart about that, and I thought about what a perfect correlation there is to the church in this.

One major way the church is failing today is in taking care of new believers, and helping them grow into long-lasting relationships with Jesus.  We want to “hurry” them through the process, and make them mature instantly.  We rush them through things that we know how to do, and sometimes even place them in a teaching role, all before letting them train and learn.  Then when we leave them on their own, mistakes happen because they just don’t know!  But a lot of times as fellow church members we are not gentle or helpful.  We tend to be judgmental, and not take the responsibility for “bearing with each other in love”.  We don’t mean to be this way, but when things that are second nature to us – like daily Bible reading, prayer, and attending church – are not followed exactly or correctly by those new to the faith – we are shocked.

So, as I learn more about my job, and am trained, I am asking God to make me more aware of those around me, especially at church, and make sure I am DOING some training for them as well.  Disciples are made, not born, and I have a responsibility to help that process happen!