And they'll know that we're Christians by our tips

As someone who's waited tables for an entire summer, I can testify to how crummy serving can be some nights. Generally it was great, and I had fun, but some nights it was super terrible. And what's even worse it when you totally get shafted (<10%) on a tip, when you worked your butt off, kept their glasses filled, cleared away their dishes, and were really nice to them.

We went out to Olive Garden tonight (Amy's favorite, I know). I was 7 of us, so we were a bigger table than your standard 4 top. We had 2 waitresses, and they worked super hard to do well by us. And they did! I was impressed! That takes skill and they pulled it off (on top of a full dining room.)

Now, we may be college students. And we may not have much money. But waitresses make $2.83 an hour. They live off of tips. How do we dare to go somewhere nice, demand excellent service and then tip them hardly anything?

That's terrible! And people say, "Well, if they're making 2.83 an hour, and they turn over 3 tables an hour, and each gives them a $2 tip, then they're making minimum wage...."

Yes, yes they are.

And if you want minimum wage service, I suggest you go to a fast food restaurant. Where they hand you your food and an empty cup and you take it and deal with it yourself.

But if you're going to a restaurant, you should be willing to pay a bit more than minimum wage. Yes, you're paying for your food too, but that money doesn't go to your waitress. It goes to the buying of products, the chain, the managers, the cooks, the utilities, the liquor license.... They hardly see any of that.

And as Christians we're no different. People don't understand the volumes that their tips speak about them.

If we were just to tip well, and leave a little note: "Thanks, and God bless!" Think of what that could do. What does that show to a non-believing waitress/waiter?

I got 3 notes on my checks all summer. One was my first table I waited on, and he saw I was really nervous. One was a super nice couple who practically tipped me 75%. And the other was when Gabby and Brent visited.

Even the smallest gestures make a BIG impression in the middle of a hectic shift.

Why don't we take advantage of it?