On November 2nd, a Covenant student named Colby Marie Finch had the desire to do some thrifting on the evening of her birthday, so she asked some friends to join her at America’s Thrift, and to maybe grab some dinner afterwards. After some indecisiveness, and trying for the nearby Chili’s, the group decided upon the Outback Steakhouse that was within sight, and without a wait for a table.
After sitting down, this group of six Covenant students began laughing and enjoying appetizers like a couple of “bloomin onions” and “shrimp on the barbie.” “Let’s share our testimonies! I would like to hear all of yours,” said Holly Raup, a recent transfer to Covenant College from New Jersey.
So, the group began to go around and share their various stories of how they came to know Christ, and how the Lord is walking with them and working in them now. They all shared pivotal moments where God revealed His goodness even through weak people, or just shared what God used to change their hearts and bring them to this season at Covenant.
Soon after this sharing of testimonies began, the waitress of the table got in on the conversation.
“Hey y’all, I just wanted to tell you guys; everyone in the back, my manager who is an atheist, they can all tell that there is something different about your table. They asked if you were drinking, but I just told them, ‘No, they’re just happy young people!’ You guys are talking about the Lord and people can hear you. Y’all are radiating Jesus. You guys are gonna change the world,” said Cassie Elkins.
She also told the group that the atheist manager asked to run them their food because she believed he was drawn to whatever the energy was that they had. “He never asks to run the food,” said Elkins.
After the main courses of steaks and veggies, Elkins sat down for a bit to share her testimony and her struggles at the invitation of Raup. They all exchanged facebook profiles or phone numbers with her and talked about how God was just piling on the blessing at an Outback Steakhouse that wasn’t even their first choice for dinner.
“I want beef,” Finch had said before choosing a spot to eat. What luck! They joked over dinner, using the salt and pepper grinders over their food, “The Lord is just piling on the seasoning for our spirits tonight!” said Johnny Hill.
This group continued to discuss what a good and encouraging night this was, and the following morning, Teyah Williams told the group that she had received a text from Cassie Elkins saying that she was having a rough night for tips and had only received $20 when they arrived. She was struggling to cover a registration fee for her child going to preschool, but that the tips that they gave her were the exact amount that she needed to cover that expense.
Colby Marie had a surprising 21st birthday experience, and everyone welcomed the good food and good fellowship.