About six or seven years ago I ordered my Sunday breakfast usual from my regular spot. The nice person said, "Sir your $20 is not real and I have to keep it and turn it in." Then she asked how I would like to pay. I handed her another $20, got my change and my meal.
I grumbled about losing $20 on my way out under my breath, "that sure was an expensive meal deal!" I just went about my day, nothing ever happened accept, I was kind of grumpy that morning preaching my sermon. It was a stewardship sermon, if I'm remembering it right.
I remembered this today as I listened to George Floyd's memorial service today. I wondered—two men, two different races, two different realities.
I have been preaching for over 30 years and having the same meal, at the same, franchise, with a large diet coke. I have done the same thing almost every one of those Sundays, and thanks to drive-up even Covid-19.
I have really never thought of my Sunday morning breakfast as privilege, until I thought about losing that $20 in Brookings, South Dakota, and suffering zero consequences. George Floyd and I sure faced different realities.