TABLE FOR TWO - INSPIRATIONAL STORY BY AUTHOR UNKNOWN (TAKEN FROM THE WEB)

He sits by himself at a table for two.

The uniformed waiter returns to His side and asks, "Would You like to go ahead and order, sir?" 

The Man has, after all, been waiting since seven o'clock--almost half an hour. "No, thank you," the Man smiles. "I'll wait for her a while longer. How about some more coffee?"

"Certainly, sir."

The Man sits, His clear blue eyes gazing straight through the flowered centrepiece. He is dressed up enough to make a companion feel important, respected, loved. It seems that He has taken every precaution to make others feel at ease with Him. Still, He sits alone.

The waiter returns to fill the Man's coffee cup. "Is there anything else I can get for You, sir?"

"No, thank you."

The waiter remains standing at the table. Something tugs at his curiosity. "I don't mean to pry, but..." His voice trails off.

"Go ahead," the Man encourages.

"Why do You bother waiting for her?" the waiter finally blurts out. This Man has been at the restaurant other evenings, always patiently alone. "Because she needs me”, Says the Man quietly.

"Well, sir, no offense, but assuming that she needs You, she sure isn't acting much like it. She's stood You up three times just this week." The Man winces, and looks down at the table. "Yes, I know." "Then why do You still come here and wait?"

"Cassie said that she would be here."

"She's said that before," the waiter protests. "I wouldn't put up with it. Why do You?"

Now the Man looks up, smiles at the waiter, and says simply, "Because I love her."

The waiter walks away, wondering how one could love a girl who stands him up three times a week. The Man must be crazy, he decides. Across the room, he turns to look at the Man again. He doesn't look crazy, the waiter admits. Maybe the Man's love is stronger than most.

The Man watches the waiter, wonders if he's ever been stood up. The Man has, many times. But he still can't get used to it. Each time, it hurts. He's looked forward to this evening all day. He has many things, exciting things, to tell Cassie. But, more importantly, He wants to hear Cassie's voice. He wants her to tell Him all about her day, her triumphs, her defeats... anything, really. He has tried so many times to show Cassie how much He loves her. He'd just like to know that she cares for Him, too. He loses himself in thought, knowing that Cassie is late, but still hoping that she will arrive.

The clock says nine-thirty when the waiter returns to the Man's table. "Is there anything I can get for You?"

The still empty chair stabs at the Man. "No, I think that will be all for tonight. May I have the check please?"

"Yes, sir."

Why do you do this, Cassie, his mind cries as He gets up from the table.

"Good-bye," the waiter says, as the Man walks towards the door.

"Good night. Thank you for your service."

"You're welcome, sir," says the waiter softly, for he sees the hurt in the Man's eyes that His smile doesn't hide.

The Man passes a laughing young couple on his way out, and His eyes glisten as He thinks of the good time He and Cassie could have had. He stops at the front and makes reservations for tomorrow. Maybe Cassie will be able to make it, he thinks.

"Seven o'clock tomorrow for party of two?" the hostess confirms.

"That's right," the Man replies.

"Do You think she'll come?" asks the hostess. She doesn't mean to be rude, but she has watched the Man many times alone at his table for two.

"Someday, yes. And I will be waiting for her." The Man buttons his overcoat and walks out of the restaurant, alone.

As the Man turns toward home, Cassie turns into bed. She is tired after an evening out with friends. As she reaches toward her night stand to set the alarm, she sees the note that she scribbled to herself last night.

'7:00,' it says. 'Spend some time in prayer.' Darn, she thinks. She forgot again to meet God in prayer at seven o clock. She feels a twinge of guilt but yet she assured herself of God’s love and decided to meet God in prayer surely the next day for she knows Jesus will forgive her. And she's sure He doesn't mind about the past. The next day she made it a point to meet the Man at a table for two right at seven o clock.