A FEW MORE HOURS

From: Through the Night with God

David and Lynn were getting discouraged. The restaurant they owned was floundering even though they had extended their business hours and offered special dinners, hoping to attract more customers. But no one came.

After several weeks with no change in sight, Lynn said, "We might as well close up and go on home." It was nearly eleven. o'clock.

"Let's stay open for a few more hours." David suggested.

"Why?' Lynn frowned. "What's the use?"

"Because tonight may be the night we get more customers." David grinned, and his wife noticed the hope shining in his large hazel eyes. Even though Lynn didn't relish the idea, she agreed that they should keep the restaurant open.

About thirty minutes later, a miracle seemed to occur. A late evening bus drove into the small community and stopped in front of the cafe. People poured out of the bus and into the cold winter air. Quickly they entered the warm cafe, since it was the only restaurant open.

The profits David and Lynn made that evening helped compensate for some of their earlier losses. But that was only the beginning.

Soon word spread that the small restaurant stayed open late at night. Business came from all around -- people driving through the town late at night, buses passing through, late night workers. The couple even had to hire an extra waitress for the late shift.

Sometimes when we have worked late in the night and are ready to give up, if we wait patiently, we will reach our goals. What we long for may arrive within minutes. Take comfort in the fact that we don't know what tomorrow brings. It could be a special day -- or night for us.

* Find inspiration in the Scripture, "Simon answered, 'Master, we have worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.' When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break." (Luke 5:5-6) Shared by Joe Gatuslao

Shared by Joe Gatuslao
December 9, 2005
Bacolod City, Philippines