Years ago, I read in a daily devotional, written by Chuck Swindoll, concerning what waiters and waitresses say about the Christians they serve. The people they dread waiting on the most are the Christians who come after Sunday services and are supposed to be witnesses in the community.

According to Swindoll (one of my favorite Christian writers), this group comes in the restaurant with big Bibles under their arms, gobble up the food, asking for this favor and that, seldom pausing long enough to smile and say “thank you.” That’s bad enough, but they also leave a tip that is more of an insult than a generous expression of gratitude.

Since first reading about the behavior of some of the Christians in restaurants, I’ve had nine of my 11 granddaughters work as waitresses while attending school. I’ve questioned them and other waitresses, and they all agree that most Christians after church are usually loud, often lack good table manners and are stingy with tips. Some, however, leave a tract instructing the server on how to be saved. The guilty ones need to be reminded that actions speak louder than words.

With over 60 churches in St. John the Bapatist Parish, maybe tipping would be a good topic for a Sunday message.

Do all Christians fall into this category? Absolutely not! But if you do, how about thinking of your witness as being more that a Bible under your arm and words out of your mouth?

I realize that many Christians will not be excited about this article, but I guarantee that I’ve made friends with all of the waiters and waitresses in the area and, maybe, even have been a witness to some.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.