Last Friday was my 58th birthday. Paul wanted to take me out to dinner to celebrate. We arranged for our daughter to take care of Adam. Now I just had to decide where to go. Paul had checked several of the local seafood reataurants to find out if they had soft shell crabs on the menu, which are available for a short time in the summer, and one of my favorite things to eat. No one had them..we either missed the season or they were not available due to over fishing restrictions in this area.
I decided I would like to go to the Harbor Crab restaurant. They are not far from our home and have had great food the few times we have eaten there.
We arrived at about 6:45 p.m. and were told that we could not be seated outside(which was one of the reasons why I had chosen this place) as there would be a 2 hour wait. If we wanted to wait for 15 minutes, we could get a table inside. We decided to wait.
We sat in the entry area and listened to the different customers as they arrived for dinner. Many left dissappointed as the wait time grew longer and longer. We discovered that they take reservations, and were sorry we hadn't known that. There were reservations made for over 200 that evening. Did I mention that there were power boat races on the bay that weekend? We were lucky to have arrived ahead of the unreserved crowd.
Paul had forgotten his glasses in the truck, and he can't read the menu without them. I went out to get them as his knees were really bothering him...he needs surgery to repair damage from years of hard work, but that is another story. When I came back in, I sat near the hostess and said"If you get a cancellation, would you consider seating us outside? It's my birthday." She replied "No way that is going to happen" and smiled. Apparantly no one cancells and we were not regular customers, so fat chance. She was really nice about it, however disappointed I might have been.
About 5 minutes later, the girl who was seating everyone came over to us to bring us to our table. She was saying , "She NEVER does this. I can't believe it." We were asking "what are you talking about" as we were behind her in crowded and noisy hallway. "She put you guys OUTSIDE."
WOW. I was ecstatic. It was a beautiful evening and I was so happy to enjoy the fresh air and my husband's company.No kids around to interrupt, no competion for hugs and attention. Time just for us and exactly where we wanted to be.
As we were sitting and enjoying oysters on the half shell, I heard the quiet, lovely voice of the LORD. He said "It's the favor of God". Isn't that just like Him to give me a present for my birthday? Thanks Lord. You are so good to me.
