The other day Arthur took me out for breakfast. For those that know Arthur, this is very out of character. He just doesn't like to "waste" money eating out when he could eat a cheaper and healthier meal at home. Now we do eat out occassionally, but breakfast? Never! Unless we're on a trip and there's a McDonalds near by. (he does love buffets!)
So Arthur decided all on his own that we were going out to breakfast at the Bearcat Cafe. (They have a really good wild rice omelet with holandaise sauce on it) All our growing up years this was the Silver Dollar Bar but it closed, sat empty for many years, and now has new owners. It's a nice clean cafe now with no alcohol served. (a plus for our town)
Things were going fine at our nice breakfast until a man at one of the half dozen tables that were occupied asked the waitress across the room, "Hey, who is this Gus Booth guy?" The waitress feigned ignorance (everyone in town knows who Gus Booth is). But not to worry, Arthur saw this as a great opportunity to do some preaching.
Arthur piped up and explained the whole IRS deal that you've probably all read about in the papers or seen in the news. Pastor Gus Booth of the Warroad Community Church is one of the ones that preached a couple of messages endorsing McCain and showed why no good Bible believer would vote for Obama. Arthur continued his message and said as much as he dared about what Christians should believe on a variety of issues. That's one thing I really appreciate about Arthur. He delights in sharing God's word whether it be on salvation or politics and uses any opportunity he has to do so. Something we as Christians need to work on.
If you've never been to a small town cafe it almost was funny. Those listening started talking and sharing with each other. The concensus? Pastor Booth is right - the IRS should not dictate what to preach from a pulpit. Then things got into farming and knowing Arthur could talk about that forever with strangers, and seeing I was done eating, I excused myself and walked around the cafe looking at all the silver dollars embedded in the counters from years gone by.
The final word? Well, Arthur decided when he gets old he might make the rounds of cafes and look for opportunities to witness to the other old men. Also, if you ever get to Warroad, check out the Bearcat Cafe! Have a great weekend!
I Peter 3:15 "...and be ready always to give an answer to every man tht asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..."
That's something I've ALWAYS admired and appreciated about Uncle Arthur: his willingness to turn ANY situation into a chance to witness...and the gentle & loving, but still firm and convicting, way he does it!! :)
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