Do you have a cigarette?

One fall morning at the Waynesboro Library, I went to write a sermon, but God had other plans. I arrived at 9:30 and decided to sit outside in the gazebo and read a little before going inside. A gentleman approached, looking around the trash can, and asked, “Do you happen to have a cigarette?”

I said, “No, I don’t smoke, but I’ve heard it’s one of the hardest things to stop.”

He replied, “Yes, it’s even harder than crack.”

I told him I had quit drinking soda every day and felt much better, so maybe quitting smoking was in his future. We exchanged a few more words, and then I said, “Well, I’m going inside to do some work. It was nice to meet you. My name is April.”

I extended my hand. He shook it and said, “My name is Chad” (not his real name).

As I headed toward the library, Chad asked, “So what work are you going to be doing?”

I responded, “Oh, I’m working on my sermon.”

Shocked, Chad said, “You are a preacher?”

I said, “Yes. Women can be pastors around these parts.”

“I know,” he said. “I’m not saying anything. I just haven’t met a lot of God-lovin’ people here.”

Then he came up to me and said, “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind giving me something for lunch.”

“I’ll be working on my sermon this morning, but I can get you a sandwich for lunch,” I said.

He replied, “Okay,” with a bit of hesitation.

“Let’s meet at the gazebo around noon,” I said.

Chad agreed, and I headed into the library. Around eleven, he found me in the snack bar area and asked, “Is it okay if I sit down?”

“Sure,” I said, “but I’m not finished with my sermon yet. I try to write five pages.”

He looked a little surprised, then said, “I’m hungry.”

“I have an apple,” I said. “Would you like this for now?”

He took the apple and pulled a large knife from his pocket to cut it. For the next few minutes, I tried to focus on my sermon rather than the knife. Then I asked, “Do you like Subway?”

“I like the meatball subs,” he said, “but nothing with pork.”

About an hour later, I closed my laptop and headed to Subway. The line was long, so I went next door to Cook Out and ordered two cheeseburger combos to go.

When I returned to the gazebo, Chad was waiting. I told him about the long line at Subway as I handed him a bag with the Cook Out logo. I sat beside him, and we both unwrapped our cheeseburgers. As he lifted his to take a bite, I asked, “Can we share grace?”

He looked at me with a slight roll of his eyes and lowered his burger to his lap. I gave thanks for the beautiful day, our lunch, and for Chad. When I said amen, he quickly picked up his burger and began to eat. As we ate, he talked about his family, friends, and past jobs.

After finishing my burger, I asked, “Do you have a dream for a future business?”

He paused, then shared with excitement his idea for a place where kids could go after school to learn new computer skills. Parents could join their children to explore games, programs, and new technology together. He got lost in the dream, and so did I.

As Chad talked about his dream, a police car pulled up to the library. Two officers went inside, then came out a few minutes later and started walking toward the gazebo. I asked Chad, “Are these officers looking for me or for you?”

He had finished his sandwich and lowered his head. I stood and walked toward the officers. They asked, “Do you know this man?”

“I just met my new friend Chad today,” I said. “I came to the library to work on my sermon. He said he was hungry, so I got us both some lunch.”

“Thank you,” one officer said. “We have some questions for Mr. Smith.”

I turned and waved goodbye to Chad as the officers approached the gazebo. Instead of returning to the library to finish my sermon, the Spirit led me to the Greenway. As I walked, I gave thanks for Chad and the lunch break we shared, praying that his dream would one day come true.

This story reminds me of the lunch break the disciples shared with Jesus in Luke 9:10–17. They paused from their work as Jesus taught, preached, and healed. Hoping to find rest, they withdrew from the crowds, but the people followed. Jesus reminded them their work was not finished because the people were hungry and needed to be fed. The disciples found two fish and five loaves, and when Jesus blessed the food, together they fed five thousand that day.

Now it’s your turn. One of the best ways to live out mission in your daily life is to weave it into an existing habit. Most of us eat at a restaurant during the workweek. Choose a favorite place, and as you look over the menu, begin a silent prayer using these prompts:

• Give thanks for how your favorite meal nourishes your body, mind, and spirit.

• Confess the times you have ignored Jesus’ words instead of living them out.

• Pray for the chef, cooks, servers, and fellow diners.

• Ask for guidance in fulfilling Jesus’ command, “You give them something to eat.”

After your prayer, as you enjoy your meal, listen and watch for God’s leading. You may be prompted to pay for someone’s meal, pray for another guest, or share a conversation with someone sitting alone.

Listen for God’s still, small voice on your lunch break. As you reach out to someone in need, you may discover that God was already preparing a table for two.