I went to the Olive Garden restaurant the other day to experience one of my favorite choices for lunch, "Zuppa Toscana." It's a great little soup and it warms the day. When I entered the restaurant recently, the hostess gave her familiar greeting: "How many?" My response was "one." The hostess then said, "Only One?" I've heard that before in other places but I got to thinking about the words from the hostess that seem to echo in my ears - "Just One!!"
Those words seem to suggest that "one person" coming to lunch is fairly insignificant or inferior to the restaurant. I began asking myself, "What's so bad about one?" Every single person is important. My son used to work as a waiter in restaurants and I would hear the stories he would tell about that experience. Waiters and Waitresses need good tips and the larger the crowd would suggest the higher the possibility for all of that. I understand from others who have been servers in restaurants that this is not always true.
Jesus had a powerful relationship with those who were alone and not connected. So many examples in the Bible point to this fact. I could never imagine in my mind, Jesus looking out and saying "only one?" I believe that he would see "one" as vital, important, and significant to him. To Jesus every person is important and loved!
In a world that aims for the masses and establishes trends based on the popular opinion of the majority, it's refreshing to take a few minutes over coffee to remember that 'Just One" is very important. Don't miss that "one" person who may need an ear, a shoulder, a hug, or a prayer. Remember that you are important today!!
