Tending bar in the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s and 80s was an extremely lucrative profession. Hourly wage exceeded the rest of the nation and tips were often off the charts. Therefore, one can find themselves, as I did , on the Seattle /Bremerton ferry dock pouring beer at the popular Wheelhouse Tavern or mixing drinks in plush waterfront resorts or officer’s clubs on naval bases. Serving alcohol to men with deep generous pockets was normal. The majority of consumers were kind and respectful and had ALOT of money. There were times a tip of $100 for 3 scooners of beer was not unusual. The Pacific Northwest was a version of boom town.
From tin lunch box toting ship yard workers to cash carrying oil riggers returning from Alaska, to showing actor Charlton Heston how the updated shot measuring system operated, tending bar was a sought after position. So there I was .
However, 12 years in I was at a crossroad of conviction.
I became a mom. My morals and conscience was nagging and tugging at my heart . Going to work was a dread. I was a fairly new believer in Christ. I was raw and ignorant in my biblical understanding. No, this article is not meant to slam bartenders or drinking. This is my story.
The day was Pastor Appreciation Day! All the restaurants were on overload. My particular restaurant was full capacity. The hostess was seating large groups of pastors in the bar. I was the main bartender on duty. And there he was, my own pastor! Right there bigger than life! My body trembled and my face hurt. The thought of him seeing me glide across the floor carrying a tray of alcoholic beverages was excruciating. The sole environment he had seen me in was walking my 2 babies into Sunday School. Adding to my demise in walked a group of 4 very large flannel shirts, jeans and big hands. These were obviously “hardcore blue collar laboring very large men with a thirst for lots of beer”. To reach these men I had to travel through the ocean of pastors. I felt like the women ready to be stoned. Now keep in mind, I was the one with the problem. This was a case of self condemnation.
It was like parting the red sea to get through the pastors and reach the table of 4 very large thirsty iron workers.
I grabbed my tray, grasped my courage and approached the table of 4.
“ What can I get you gentlemen?” I asked
“ Four coffees please.” One replied.
My heart shifted allowing room for me to breath again. I poured the coffees. I took their food order. I delivered the food. All the while my pastors just smiled. Returning the smile I said good afternoon. They smiled back and all was well. I was free.
Here is the miracle that happened that day. I glanced over to the 4 flannel shirts. To my amazement, those 8 large hands joined and prayed over their food. I think I was staring. I walked away for 2 minutes. I glanced back again. All that remained was a pile of cash on the table, 4 large empty plates , the plaid flannel shirts with the men attached to them were gone. I asked the hostess and several waitresses where they went. They replied …….WHO? I said the 4 huge men at that table. They had not seen them at all. No one had.
They were angels. A sweep of holy fire rushed clean to the depths of my soul. Two weeks later I retired from tending bar.