Stop and Ask for Ellen

Week of August 23


I was returning from my college reunion and I was heading south on Interstate 75 when I distinctly heard a voice in my head.

“Stop at the next Cracker Barrel and ask for Ellen.”

“Is that you speaking Lord?”

Again I hear, “Stop at the next Cracker Barrel and ask for Ellen.”

It wasn’t long before I saw a billboard telling me there was a Cracker Barrel at the next exit. I turned off. I asked the hostess if Ellen was on today.

”There is no Ellen working in this restaurant,” the Hostess said.

It was nearing the dinner hour so I decided to stay and eat. When the waitress brought my food I asked her if an Ellen had ever worked at this Cracker Barrel.

“Oh Ellen works in the gift shop,” she said.


I hastily finished my dinner and went directly to the gift shop. There was an older woman standing behind the counter.

“Are you Ellen?”

“No,” the woman said, “ Ellen left a short while ago. She has problems you know.”

The restaurant couldn’t give out an address or telephone for Ellen of course so all I could do was leave her an encouraging note with my E-mail and telephone number.
I never heard from Ellen. I should have gone to the gift shop before I ate my dinner. Somehow I feel I let God down.

Dave Coleman
Bradenton, Fl.