i used to work in a bar...

[Guest LadyC]

the discussion of playing cards prompted me to post this...

i managed a pool hall for 7 years. during that time i was on a journey back to the Lord... a long journey with many ups and downs and a few detours along the way. but i'd like to share a bit about the last couple of years that i spent there.

i mentioned in the other thread that my brother once told me that God didn't approve of my clothing. well, he was not the only one in my family to frequently tell me God didn't approve of my employment. my job description in that pool hall was everything from waitressing, to bartending, to inventory control, blackjack dealer, tournament host, you name it, i did it.

one day i was under heavy conviction from my family about my job. over the next several weeks, i was feeling pretty down about it. then one day when the pool hall was virtually empty, a man came in and ordered a beer. i was in no mood to talk, but i could sense that he needed an ear. i'll never forget how i silently argued with God that i did NOT want to deal with someone else's problems. but finally, after about thirty minutes, i spoke to that man. he still hadn't touched his beer. i didn't say much, i only said "ya know buddy, whatever your problem is, you aren't gonna find the answer at the bottom of that bottle." the guy looked at me, stood up, and walked out. i thought i'd blown it for God.

the next day, that guy came back in with a big smile on his face. he ordered a soda, and laid down a token on the counter. he said "i came back to thank you... because of you, i am celebrating my 7th anniversary of sobriety. if you hadn't said what you did yesterday, i'd have been drunk last night."

because of me... nope, that wasn't me at all. God gets the glory for that.

a couple of days later, a guy walked in that i recognized, and i wanted to run and hide. i couldn't stand this guy. six months earlier i got tired of this guy's persistant come-ons, and finally snapped. i wasn't very nice in how i handled him, telling him if he wanted to find someone he could be happy with, he'd have to get emotionally healthy first. nobody who "had it all together" (which he thought i did) would want to go backwards with someone who was a basketcase. i was harsh, and never felt anything but relief when he disappeared.

when he walked in that night, he was beaming. he didn't ask me out, he just wanted to share his testimony. he'd moved up north for a few months to stay with a brother of his, and although he resisted the calling of God at first, he eventually agreed to attend church with his brother's family. his whole life changed that day, and he said he'd been growing in his relationship with Christ ever since. he played a few games of pool and then left. i never saw him again. but I believe that God brought those two individuals into my bar specifically to point out that God had me right where He wanted me, right where I was doing the most good for Him at that time.

about a year later, i suppose I'd done all God wanted me to do in that environment. God prompted me to leave the job i'd loved for so long. it was a decision i didn't want to make, but i submitted to God's will. amazingly enough, once i did submit, i never once looked back.

the point of this little story is this. we can't witness to the world if we don't live in it. if God convicts you of playing pool, or playing poker, then submit to God's will... he sees what we can't, and perhaps that activity would be a stumbling block for you. but never assume that what God expects of you to be applicable to the guy standing next to you. God may have a very good reason for having that guy sitting at a casino table... because someone else who needs to hear the word of God may not ever go anywhere else to hear it.

my brother is a wonderful Christian. but he won't reach the people i reach... he will only reach the people who come into his environment, because he'll never venture into theirs. God uses all of us... even when others can't see it.

[nebula]

I hear the best counselors are bar tenders and hair stylists.

Yup, definantly a place to reach the lost if you are up to it!

[CWJ]

My wife is a hair stylist...and yes she should get fees for counseling!

[angels4u]

Lady C,

Thanks for sharing your story,

we can't witness to the world if we don't live in it. if God convicts you of playing pool, or playing poker, then submit to God's will... he sees what we can't, and perhaps that activity would be a stumbling block for you. but never assume that what God expects of you to be applicable to the guy standing next to you. God may have a very good reason for having that guy sitting at a casino table... because someone else who needs to hear the word of God may not ever go anywhere else to hear it.

Amen girl!!

[Catsmeow]

the point of this little story is this. we can't witness to the world if we don't live in it.

God may have a very good reason for having that guy sitting at a casino table... because someone else who needs to hear the word of God may not ever go anywhere else to hear it.

[hazel]

Praise the Lord for girls like Cats & Lady C!!!

[Guest LadyC]

LOL, i've never been one much for political correctness or religious legalism! but cats, your story about halloween makes me want to SING!!!!

so i'm gonna do just that....

Somewhere in the growing up

Sometimes we grow out of touch

With the tenderness that drew us to the truth

If we close our minds and lock our hearts up tight

There's no room for love in what we do

And now our lives

Speak to those behind

What do they see

On the other side

Don't shut the door of heaven

On the ones who would believe

If they could see in us the love

That they've been looking for

Don't shut the door of heaven

On the ones who would believe

If they could see in us the love

That they've been looking for

Don't shut the door

~ from the album The Shape of Grace, by Out Of The Grey

The Door Of Heaven

Written by Christine Dent

[Guest dove2]

An awesome story and a great blessing Lady C.

[Guest shadow2b]

-my brother is a wonderful Christian. but he won't reach the people i reach... he will only reach the people who come into his environment, because he'll never venture into theirs. God uses all of us... even when others can't see it.

-DRATT-daggone it-deddgummit-shucks!!do this meen isa gonna haff to repeel thet bann-ish-mint

-pety-tis-shun??Evertyme I gets everthang all werked out in mah LILL ole pea-sized crannee-yumm

-bout-yuse lady yuse goes & upsettles tha aple-cart--NOW CUTT THET OW-YUTT-ya heer??

[Guest LadyC]

LOL gary, i guess i'm not as much a fruitcake as you thought i was! but hey, i AM from texas ya know, and not even too far down the road from YOUR neck of the woods! guess i can't be all bad!