It’s time for another post about Panera Bread since I have begun my direct seminary studies. I found it interesting during my bachelor’s degree the number of people who meet at Panera for religious purposes. It was amazing to see the quality and quantity of Bible study groups.
Now that I am spending more time here, instead of at home in my office with the dogs, I am seeing even more of God’s work around the restaurant. How so?
On May 1, I was delivering a sermon at church to be recorded and submitted as the capstone assignment for my bachelor’s degree. I stopped by Panera briefly to get coffee to go on the way to church. John, who I met on a Thursday after his men’s Bible study group stopped me to say hi. I told him where I was running off to. Wouldn’t you know it, he showed up for the sermon. Since that time, I am poured into by John regularly as he updates me where his faith has been taking him so God can speak to him. I am so often encouraged by John by his texts. It was just a chance meeting at Panera one day, or so I thought.
Last week, I was preparing to write a significant piece of my research paper, and a couple sat down in the booth across from mine. She ran away from him to go join a group of knitting mom-moms to learn how to crochet. about an hour later, she returned to her abandoned husband. Somehow we got to talking then, and faith came up. She came to Panera last June and had a conversation with a man about some rabbits that were playing outside across the parking lot. That conversation led to a few more. They were married in March of this year. He runs a motorcycle ministry, and neither one is shy about being bold in their faith. God keeps putting people in front of me to connect with at Panera, but not just there.
I was at my county work physical last week, and the time came to talk to the doctor. When I told him that I had been at a music festival, he began his line of questioning about my marijuana use. He was shocked that I wouldn’t cave until I told him it was a Christian music festival (uprisefest.com). He said to lead off with that. It turns out he runs a ministry for the homeless called Under the Bridge, cooking out with homeless populations to ensure they’re fed–not just food, but the Gospel as well. He was so excited to have this conversation with me that we ran well over our time, so he asked my to stop by his truck for his card before I left. I look forward to seeing what kind of collaborations God passes our way.
Then can we just take a second to appreciate the Panera staff for a minute? There isn’t a manager at either of the Paneras that I frequent who don’t know me on first name basis. The staff who have been present for any period of time have gotten to me by my coffee order. My home location has two staff with Down’s Syndrome. I heard that the staff of the store go with them to walk in the Buddy Walk each year. This year, my family is joining them. In addition to the hard work and dedication they bring to the restaurant, they inadvertently pour into me as well. Whether it’s a smile and a wave or an out and out compliment, they have this natural ability to just lift my spirits regardless what else is going on that day.
One of the staff has sat through their lunch break with me and has been asking spiritual questions. I’m happy to be a guide in whatever capacity I can be.
The Panera by my work has gotten to know me as I am very frequently in there filling my cup. While I cast my vote for the one’s toddler to with the “cutest toddler” competition, I also share my faith and try to always show up smiling and encouraging them for the rest of their shift. I was once asked how I work as a paramedic but always come into the store in such a great, bubbly mood. I pointed to the cross that I wear on my vest and said, “Him.”
Jesus spoke a parable once in Matthew 13:1-9. The seed being sowed by the sower falls on different kinds of surfaces. Some is choked out by thorns, some doesn’t set roots and gets scorched or eaten, some lands on fertile soil and produces a large crop. Sharing faith with people is not a dangerous activity. Failing to share your faith and bring people to Christ is more dangerous. We have the ability to pull people out of the clutches of Hell, regardless what demons have their grasp. It’s not our job to cast out the demons, God will take care of that. It is our job to show the way to salvation, through the Gospel, Jesus himself.
God puts people in our lives and removes them with His purpose. Keep your eyes open. You never know whose life you might change, or who will change your life.
Stay blessed, my friends.
Christopher Turnbull 