Out in the rolling plains of Northwest Texas, about 40 miles East of Amarillo, Texas, on Interstate 40, is one of the most incredible sites I've ever seen. My son, Paul and his wife discovered it while visiting friends in that part of the country. They found out we were headed to New Mexico, via Amarillo and recommended that we stop on the way out.
We did. And I fell in love. We rolled in about an hour before sunset and were ready for a break. But we had no idea what a place of beauty this would be or the adventure that awaited us.
It was such an incredible site that I took over 100 pictures, that night, with my digital camera. Not only was the 192 foot cross itself incredible but an artist had produced a life sized Stations of the Cross in Bronze. Although I'm a Protestant, I've often found the Stations of the Cross to be very comforting. They are a great reminder of the trials of our Savior during the final hours before the crucifixion.
I was immediately inspired by these life sized Stations. I began taking pictures almost feverishly. I knew these would make a great Good Friday Service. I had lead a Protestant version of the Stations for Good Friday several times over the years. But I knew, with pictures of these Statues, this would be a very moving Good Friday Service. So, I started clicking away.
It started to get dark and I was running out of disks so we decided to call it a night and head into Amarillo where we had motel reservations. I had my trusty laptop with me and could hardly wait to get checked in so I could view the pictures. I wasn't disappointed. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized I needed more pictures. So, we decided since we were on vacation and didn't really have any kind of schedule or any one else to answer to, we would just go back and get more. All total, I took about 240 pictures. Not all of them were usable but many of them were.
After our second photo shoot, we were headed back out to the highway and on to Amarillo, again, for lunch. That was when we saw the sign for "Blessed Mary's Restaurant." My wife's name is Mary and we couldn't pass it up. Besides, it was on historic Route 66. And this is where the adventure took place.
Blessed Mary's is like no other restaurant I've ever been in. At first it looks like a typical small town cafe. But when we walked in the door, we immediately felt welcome as if we were expected. And as we looked around we began noticing other little things. There were exactly twelve (12) tables. And each table was named for one of the Apostles. We sat at Peter's table. (I thought that was appropriate. I've always associated with Peter the most. I put my foot in my mouth as much if not more than he did. And before the Resurrection the only time Peter ever took his foot out of his mouth was to change feet.)
The next thing we noticed was that there were no prices on the menu. None whatsoever. And there was no cash register. Instead, there was a large pickle jar by the door. And on the menu a simple notice reads: "Please pay a comparable price per person for your meal."
Well, my interest was certainly up. About the time I saw a newpaper article on a small bulletin board and started reading it, the owner walked over to our table, stuck out his hand and said, "I'm Jim, you're a preacher, aren't you?"
I looked down to see if I was wearing a name tag or something and asked how he knew. He smiled real big and said had had a way of recognizing preachers and evangelists and that God had called him to minister especially to pastors. That started a 2 hour lunch visit. By the time we were finished, my wife and I both felt like we had been to church.
The food was excellent and so was the company. And I look forward to keeping up this instant friendship.
Jim told us about his involvement with the Cross Ministries. And how God called him to open this restaurant. He also told us some incredible stories of faith and lives changed through his little restaurant and the work of his big big heart.
If you're ever headed out Amarillo way, stop in and see Jim. You'll meet a new friend, share good fellowship in the presence of Christ and have some delicious Quesadilla's.
Billy