Invited to be first

Even since I can remember, my dad always had a policy whenever we were at functions in which there was a meal: we were always to eat last. If it was a table service, my dad tried to always sit at the table which was served last. If it was a buffet, my dad would wait until everyone else ate before he would enter the line. As a small child, this frustrated me. "But dad," I would whine, "if we wait all the food will be gone." And many times at buffets, when we would finally eat, there would be only remnants of food left in the dishes. Oftentimes, many of the popular dishes would be completely empty. I would lament my hungry stomach and longingly look at the heaps of food others had on their plate. Immediately behind us in line would be the folks coming back for second helpings.

I never enjoyed this exercise in humility. If I had it my way, I would be like the rest of the people in the dining hall, I would be fighting to be first. I would be fighting to have as much food as I wanted which would fit on my plate. But this was not the way in our household.

As I grew up, I realized restraining oneself was a good habit. I found it was often best to go last as then you had time to carefully explore the options set before you. It taught me to be grateful for the food which was left on the buffet. I learned to appreciate that I am the one with the few choices and not someone else. If I am still hungry, I can always get food from another source.

A few years ago, I was invited to be a guest speaker at an event. I was thrilled to be a guest of the function, much less to be the presenter! When I attended the gathering, the venue was filled with people. Every attendee brought a dish for the potluck. The buffet was piled high was lots and LOTS of glorious looking dishes. I marveled at the wide range of delicacies. I also knew with my numerous food allergies and food restrictions, I would not be able to eat one bite of food. This is always sad, but it is for my own safety. Even if a food looks "safe", there may be hidden ingredients which could cause me to have a severe reaction. Instead, I always eat before going any where and try to distract myself while others eat.

This evening, when it was time to eat, the host of the event announced I should go first. Oh, how my heart swelled with gratitude for this honor. Oh, how I always wanted this wonderful distinction to have gleefully be the first to try any of the large assortment of food. Fighting back tears of appreciation, I thanked the host for this honor, but I declined the invitation to eat. Instead, I sat quietly as I watched the first person to pass through the buffet and imaged what it must feel like to have all these food options. As I waited for everyone to eat, I silently sipped my water and thanked God for this invitation to be first.

"But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you" (Luke 14:10).