Tonight i had a rare opportunity to have a mom/son supper with my youngest. Jeff was working out of town, so Conner opted for us to grab a quick meal at Chili’s. We were seated quickly at a table in the bar seating area. I excused myself to go to the restroom, as Conner began perusing the menu. After washing my hands and adjusting my mask, I started back to the table. Literally everyone in the restaurant was on their feet, pointing and looking out the window. As I got closer, I saw that everyone in the bar area was also stretching their necks toward the parking lot.
As I sat back down, Conner explained that a gentemen had evidently had too much to drink. He had staggered and fallen as he left his seat at the bar. Other people were commenting that he had fallen several times in the parking lot on the way to his car. The restaurant management had contracted the police for fear that he might try to drive away in his apparently impaired condition.
The man made it to his car, and he just sat there. Again, almost everyone in the restaurant made their way to the windows to watch the man. The police eventually got there, and it appeared that the man had called someone to come pick him up The police talked with him for a good while, and they did not leave until his ride arrived. It was evident that the man was embarrassed. He had made some bad choices, and it seemed as if “the whole world” (or at least all of Chili’s) was watching.
As I reflected back on this later, I thought about the attitudes and actions of many of the restaurant patrons, servers and staff. They were all sharing stories of how this man had sat at the bar for several hours; how he had been “cut off” from ordering more drinks; how he needed to be arrested; how “his butt was going to jail: and how “he was in big trouble now.”
I also reflected on the comments and attitudes of my son, and how they really differed from the majority of folks there As Conner told me about what had happened during my trip to the bathroom, he was quiet and nonjudgmental. He simply said that the poor fellow had evidently had too much to drink, and he had fallen. In true Southern fashion, Conner said, “Bless his heart.” He went on to say how sad that man must be to sit at a bar, alone, all afternoon. He commented on how so many have lost hope during this pandemic. He commented on how mental illness was becoming so much more prevalent due to the never-ending issues of COVID-19, and how maybe this man was self-medicating. Of course, Conner didn’t know the man’s story, but he had COMPASSION. We talked about the fact that we did not know this man’s story, and “there but for the grace of God, go I.”
I couldn’t help but to think of Jesus and those around Him as He was in His final hours on this earth. How people around Him hurled accusations and judgments. How His closest friends denied Him and left Him to face His fate all alone. Of course, there were those who showed Jesus some COMPASSION. Simon of Cyrene carried the cross for Him when our Lord stumbled. A soldier gave Jesus vinegar with gall, when He asked for water. John agreed to care for Mary, the mother of Jesus, as his own mother. Joseph of Arimathea gave Jesus his tomb for burial. But MOST people had no COMPASSION — only judgment and ridicule.
The lesson I learned from our experience at Chili’s is this: I want to be like my son. I want to be compassionate and nonjudmental. I want to look for the best in everyone, even at their worst moments. I want to “bless people’s hearts.” The Bible talks about “older” people teaching “younger” people with our vast knowledge and life experiences. Well, tonight, my young 23 year-old son taught his 56 year-old momma a few things!
