While I was in Washington, DC this past week for a conference, my wife and I went to a restaurant named Filomena. We sat for dinner, and our server Gino came to the table. I asked Gino how he was doing. I’ve had some servers reply “tired.” Most reply “ok” or “fine.” When I asked Gino how he was doing he replied “excellent!” Throughout our dinner, Gino laughed and talked with us and made us feel important and comfortable. He told us interesting facts about the presidents who had eaten there and what dishes they favored. He knew in great detail how all the dishes were prepared and what they consisted of. When there was a question about what meal to select, he asked a few questions about food preferences and created a most delicious meal that was not on the menu

Gino was a great server. He appeared to really enjoy serving. He was engaging. He was knowledgable about the restaurant and the menu. He was creative and didn’t mind thinking of unconventional ways to meet our needs. Because Gino was a great server we readily received our meal expecting eating to be as good an experience as our time being served. People, especially unbelievers, have an expectation that their experience with God will be like their experience with us. How many of us would have people eager to experience God after they encounter us, His servants? My encounter with Gino certainly gave me food for thought.