I stopped at Buddy’s BBQ in Oak Ridge for the Tuesday night special on December 20, 2016. As usual on Tuesday nights, the line was backed up to the door. I squeezed in and then became aware of a man behind me who had managed to enter the door as well. Since the line was long, I decided to check my phone. There was a recent post on social media by a friend’s husband with an update on her condition. Prayers went up in alarm. I was processing this information when the man behind me started talking about an elderly man who had just fallen in the parking lot. Apparently he had hit his forehead and a woman was taking paper towels out to the man.
I turned to look and an elderly man was on the ground in the drive-thru lane. The man standing behind me walked outside to help, and I approached the counter to tell the young man at the register what had happened. He walked to the door and looked outside, and then disappeared into the kitchen, supposedly to tell someone in management, but no one came out to assist. I walked out the door and by this time the elderly man was on his feet and walking to his car held by his wife and the man who had been behind me in line. I went back inside and the man entered again as well. The young man from the register came to the door and we informed him that the elderly man and his wife were now in their car.
The dining room was adequate, but tonight there appeared to be more people than available tables. I was assessing the situation while moving in line and mentally considering the possibility of carrying the food home to eat, which was not appealing as I had 45 minutes to an hour travel time still remaining. At that moment, the man behind me suggested that I share a table with him, and I accepted, relieved at this alternative. I introduced myself and he shared his name, adding that he was retired and lived in Oak Ridge. I told him I was going to say Grace over the meal. He sort of nodded and remained silent. I guessed his age to be mid-70s. He began talking about activities in college (Memphis State and UT). He shared fun memories from those days. He was originally from Kentucky but moved as a young child to Sunnyvale, CA, for a few years. He shared a few scattered details of earlier adult years, and I sensed loneliness in his present life.
He then told me about a young man, initials CJ, who had barely escaped with his wife and family from the horrendous fires that had destroyed or damaged more than 2000 homes and buildings. Fourteen people had died and at least 200 were injured in the fires that burned more than 17,000 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Those who had managed to get off the mountain described the experience as escaping death through walls of fire. Tears rolled down the man’s cheeks as he spoke and his hand shook as he lifted the fork to his mouth. The fires had been extinguished at the beginning of the month, but the tragedy was still fresh. His eyes were focused on his plate while he talked. I let him speak uninterrupted and studied his face as he spoke. I told him I would cover this young family in prayer for their needs with the loss of their home and possessions, and I made a mental note to pray for this man as well. I then shared my story of meeting Jesus through the death of my husband and the ways this had changed my life. He lifted his eyes when I began talking and listened.
We finished our meal and he left first. We did not exchange any personal information and I never saw him again though I continued to stop at the restaurant occasionally on Tuesday nights. A few months later my job would radically change, and my driving route would be altered as well. This was a God encounter for that evening only.
I prayed as I drove through the mountains towards Scott County for the issues discussed earlier and further extensions of those issues as led by the Holy Spirit. I prayed for the people of Sevier County and all who were affected by the fire and the aftermath. I also prayed for my friend’s wife. I thanked God for prompting me to stop tonight at the restaurant. I had been preoccupied with the need to get home after work as I was going to be pet and house sitting for some special friends over the holidays. They were leaving town in the morning and I wanted to get home early in case they had any special instructions to discuss. The miles passed while the prayers and the praises were lifted into the atmosphere.
12/3/2022