No Onions Please

As he walked through the door, he knew all the locals were checking him out. While cruising timber for a new client in a remote part of the state, my brother was hungry and decided to stop at a roadside diner for lunch.

Once inside he saw men lined up sitting on stools at the counter eating hot dogs and only hot dogs, for that was all they served. 

Beyond the counter and through an open window the cook called out from the kitchen, “How ya want ya hot dog?”

“Mustard, no onions. Make that two please.”

Standing behind the men seated at the counter my brother tried to keep his eyes forward while all other eyes were on him. He knew these men probably meet everyday, whether they wanted a hot dog or not, to fill an uneventful day with uneventful talk. He was an outsider and knew he would end up the topic of conversation as soon as he left.

To be less of a distraction he decided not to move and kept his place behind the men at the counter as they went back to eating and talking. While he stood he watched through the open window as the cook assembled the hot dogs—bun, chili, mustard, and onions.

He didn’t want onions. Before the cook could begin adding onions to his second hot dog he felt he needed to remind him of his order.

“Sir, no onions please.”

Without acknowledging the correction, the cook kept on making the hot dogs—bun, chili, mustard, and onions. The men at the counter raised their heads and watched as my brother tried to get the attention of the cook. The next time he spoke it was a little louder and with more authority.

 “Sir . . . I said no onions please.”

Still, there was no acknowledgement from the busy cook on the other side of the window. He kept on preparing the hot dogs lined up in his large hand—bun, chili, mustard, and onions.

With his back straight and feet planted, my brother did the only thing he knew to do at that point to get the cooks attention. He yelled,

 “I said NO ONIONS!”

The diner went quite, the men’s mouths flew open, and for a moment all that could be heard was the clicking of the ceiling fan. Then a booming voice forced it’s way through the window from the kitchen as the cook yelled back,

 “IT’S  NOT  YOUR  HOT DOG!”

Oh, I can’t even imagine the look that was probably on my brother’s face as the cook leaned his head out the window and yelled back. No, he didn’t tuck tail and run, but it was all he could do to stay in that small diner waiting for his lunch. With brown paper bag in hand that held his two hotdogs—bun, chili, mustard, and no onions—he paid and attempted to walk back out the door with some dignity.

As I'm reminded of this story, I wonder how many times we stand behind the counter, yelling over the heads of others telling God how to do something when He knows perfectly well what He is doing and how it needs to be done.

The next time we find ourselves trying to correct God, we need to take into consideration that He may not be working in our lives at the moment but in the life of another. In other words, we may need to remember, 

“It’s not our hot dog!” 

photos courtesy of morgueFile.com

A Different View

"Do you want to ride with the top down?"
     "No, it's too cold."

"Do you want to ride with the top down?" 

   "No, I don't have a hat or anything to put on my head. I have to be somewhere later."

"Do you want to ride with the top down?"

   "No, I'm fine. We're almost home."

For months my husband had been trying to introduce me to the joys of owning a convertible. It wasn't a new model, but it was new to him and he was excited. We'd always enjoyed our late afternoon rides together but every time he asked if I wanted to ride with the top down I'd have an excuse and say no.

But one spring evening that changed . . .

As we left his parent's home we noticed the sky dotted with colorful lanterns suspended in the early evening. With a glance from him and a nod from me we headed off in the direction towards the hot air balloons in the distance. Approaching the balloons my husband once again asked, "Do you want to ride with the top down?" This time my reply was "Yes!"

The endless blue evening sky was beautiful and as my husband drove through the countryside following the balloons I enjoyed the sights, sounds, and smells of being outside with an unlimited view. We've had hot air balloon festivals in our area for years and spent many hours at daybreak and dusk chasing these graceful objects but, I'd never been able to enjoy them to this extent. Not only could we hear the whoooosh of the propane being released into the balloons, but we could ride directly under them and even wave at the pilots swaying in their wicker baskets.



I realized how my limited view could become unlimited when I agreed to step out of my comfort zone.



We followed the balloons throughout the countryside along winding roads, past farm houses, and through wooded areas. There were times when I'd hear the whoooosh before I'd see the balloon as it appeared over the treetops.

Oh, what I'd have missed if I hadn't agreed to get out of my comfort zone and ride with the top down.

Since that peaceful evening in May I've thought about the times I've said NO to the small voice that would ask me to step out of my comfort zone.

How many adventures with God have I missed?

I know there're times when God wants to show me so much more, but I limit my view because I say no and won't follow His lead. 

Maybe He wants to:

• Give me a totally different view of a problem, circumstance, or situation.  

• Expand my horizons and let me see He has so much more for me. 

• Let me experience things that'd be impossible unless I "ride with the top down."

Whatever God has in store for me I want to experience it and see it from a different view
—His viewpoint.

I want to step out of my comfort zone that limits  

and live the abundant life God has for me. 

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10 ESV). 

What Does Your Day Look Like?

What does your day look like? I ask myself this question when I wake up. What do I have to do today? What will I have to face today? What do I need to get accomplished today? And the ever so popular one . . . Will I GET through today?

No matter what it is you and I have to do, or face today, we have a source in which to go to for assistance. For the Word says "God is able to BLESS you abundantly, so that in ALL things at ALL times, having ALL that you need, you will abound in EVERY good work." (2 Cor. 9:8 NIV).




As we venture out into our day, we need to remember what God's Word says to us:

God is able to BLESS us abundantly. Not just a little, not just to get us by, but ABUNDANTLY. And abundant means "more than enough." God is able to bless us MORE than enough today.

So that in ALL things we do or face today and at ALL times throughout the day . . . we will have ALL we need! I don't know about you, but I have many needs throughout the day:

• patience
• strength - mental and physical
• love
• faith
• wisdom
• direction
• knowledge
• and sometimes an absolute miracle!

I have to remind myself that I have ALL I need!

Last, but certainly not least, we will abound in every good work. The Holman Christian Standard Bible says "you may EXCEL in every good work."

What will we have to do or face today? I don't know but I DO know that God is able to bless us with everything we need so we can excel in all that we do.

Have a great day!








images from office microsoft.com