To be a regular. What an awesome thing! It’s like something of the past, that only a few people still experience.

This morning, my brother and I stopped at a diner for breakfast before heading to class. It had a great atmosphere, with a single cook and a single waitress. We chose to sit at the bar, and the waitress got us our menus right away. The food was nearly as fast as “fast food,” yet it was less expensive and it tasted better. As we were nearing the end of our meal, the waitress announced to one of the other customers at the bar, “Hey, Bill. Mike says hi. He’s the one who comes in on Wednesdays with Fred.” I know the names aren’t correct, but that’s essentially what she told him. Someday, I want to be a regular at a little diner. That’d be so cool!

I guess in a way I already am a regular. Just not at a diner. Tonight, on my way home from work, I fell asleep a few blocks from my bus stop. When I woke up later down the road, the driver saw me stand up and said, “Oh, I didn’t see you there! I looked around in my mirror to see if you were on when I got close to your stop, but I didn’t see you.” He proceeded to give me advice on where to get off to wait under a shelter for the bus going the opposite direction. He said that it would only be a few minutes until the bus would come around the corner. I did as he said, and he was right: about two minutes after getting under the shelter, the bus going the opposite direction appeared. It’s great to know that someone who is just doing their job cares enough to get to know his customers and help them out when they need it. Last time I rode his bus, I talked about the college I attended and my plans. Today he decided that I really am a “poor college student” when he heard that I have a hole-y shoe. Being a regular, I suppose is about relationships. Most people are satisfied to be served by total strangers in every store, restaurant, and public service. However, I Enjoy forming relationships with everyone I come in contact with. I would love to be a “regular” in several restaurants and stores in my hometown, developing relationships that God can use. Relationships that God can minister through me in. And that is the most important thing.

Lord, help me to develop meaningful relationships that you can use. Direct me in the things I say and do so that you can minister in the lives around me through those relationships.