Something We Didn't Deserve

The other night my momma took my brother Matthew out Christmas shopping and out to eat. They had gone to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants and were finishing up their meal. The waitress had not been the most attentive (which is unusual for this particular restaurant) and it took forever to get the check. Momma immediately handed her the cash when she brought the check to her. Ten minutes later the waitress had still not brought the change back. Momma saw her come and go and then she didn't see her at all. Because the change was a good bit more than she was going to tip she was waiting it out. At one point they saw her peak out as if to see if they had left. Finally after about 15 minutes had passed she came back and nervously laid the change on the table. After she walked away momma left the tip and they left and went on with their shopping. After they got home momma was putting groceries away and she said something about how irritating it was and that she probably should not have left her a tip. Matthew asked her why she did then. Momma said because it was Christmas and she would have felt bad not leaving one, but she said again that she probably should not have rewarded the dishonesty. She went about her business putting things away and Matthew quietly said, "Momma, in a way I agree with you and in a way I don't." Momma asked him what he meant. He said, "Because of Christmas aren't we ALL getting something we didn't deserve?" It brought tears to momma's eyes, especially coming from Matthew. Those of you that don't know Matthew, he is not one that says a whole lot. When he says something like that you know he is really deep in thought.

As we celebrate Christmas this week may we all remember the ultimate Gift that we did not deserve.

~M.E.~