End of the first year at the new CIG

Good Morning!! For the last month I have had people ask me about my first year coming to an end, I always try to be honest with out being negative...."it has been the hardest thing I have ever done".....I told one of my pastor friends the other day, "I feel like a failure in some ways, I just cant get it right' & I feel as if my purpose is lost because I am too busy running a restaurant", ever since I have uttered those words amazing things have happened around the grill. One of the great benefits of this job are the people....they come to me ask who needs help, food, clothes, gas money, heat.....I give them some direction and when I have long forgotten the conversation they are doing.....showing up at the grill with gift cards & saying "you will find someone to help," bringing cards in with money to help buy Christmas for a family, watching tears slide down cheeks as help has been given from our guest. Last week I am upstairs working when Brittany slowly comes up the stairs, she has been with me a few months, college student 20 yr. " I didn't know what to do with this" in her hand she has a Cast Iron Grill loyalty card, with tears brimming she tells of her regular and her heart is broken....."Teresa you know ________ that comes in for breakfast and sits at the bar, he has no family, in his 70's and we have really gotten to know each other, the other day he comes in and gives me his loyalty card and says he will not be back, give it to someone who needs it." She tells of him being sick and he was suppose to have surgery....but something changed. Her voice full of concern she tells of wanting to find him & visit him but he would never give his last name, a man she doesn't even know his last name & she cares so much for him.....what can she do?" My heart is full as I see her love and concern for this man that was once a stranger, "Brittany, it is amazing how you start to care huh? you now know what I feel everyday for hundreds of people....it is why we all do what we do....Brittany, right now we need to pray for him" she hands me his little card, we tuck it in an envelope, scribble his name on it and lay it on my desk....waiting for his return.... The other day Cindy asked me about a regular that had not been in for a while..."Teresa, have you heard from him?" no was my reply but I did realize it had been a while. She tells of calling him, he delivers flowers, and the flower shop said he was not working..."I am really concerned for him, I miss seeing him, hope he is alright." Happy Beautiful Monday yall....it is a two way street around here and God is so good to show me all the amazing hearts around this place......no the purpose of the grill is still alive and kicking,making a difference. Tis this season to share HIS love and kindness but what a blessing to see, this happens HERE every day of the year. You see it is not just about serving the guest that walk in these doors it is about serving hearts......