Upon completion of a church service, my husband Paul and I were returning home and stopped at a buffet restaurant for our meal. I surveyed the place and noted the numerous tables of hot food, two grills going, and a salad bar with chilled plates that felt like they had been left outside on this frigid February day.

The table with desserts appeared to bend around the corner. So much to look at and to consume! My decision-making powers were taxed with such a spread and variety. I imagined that my waistline would be also spreading soon.

In the middle of all this food was a cook preparing personal omelets on the spot. I watched as this good sized young man dressed in white and a chef's cap moved back and forth over a small gas element. He was busy at his work and kept his eyes averted from looking at people while cooking their omelet. He didn't seem to smile.

Now I thought an omelet would taste good but I saw something else on the menu. It was the fact that here was a captive audience I could talk to. Whenever I can, I want to encourage and tell others about Christ. I saw the potential to connect with another human being, and as is my habit, to practice the skill of relating to others. I already knew his name from the tag placed on his uniform. Calling a person by name makes it easier!

After a silent prayer, my opportunity began. It doesn't take much thought to realize that the only way to develop a relationship with another person is by talking to them.

Do you find it hard to start a conversation? I might not do it very smoothly but I find that continual practice helps. Here is how it went for me. "Hi, Carl*. Can you make me a fabulous omelet?" He agreed and took the long list of ingredients that I wanted. I wanted everything. He then told me that I could come back in 4 minutes.

"Can I wait and watch you?" That is where my four-minute conversation with Carl began. He added sausage . . . I asked if he liked to cook.

"No."

"Then what?"

He wanted to be an engineer. He added onions . . .

"Now that is quite different. So why are you cooking?"

He added mushrooms . . . It was the only job he could get. He then talked about his parent's job and school. He added green peppers . . . I asked about his contrasting dreams of being a cook and an engineer. He then added tomatoes . . . He asked me about what I did. We talked about the contrasting things I get to do in the church. I answered his questions.

Last was the cheese and the cooking egg held it all together. The omelet was done.

For the rest of my wanderings around the buffet table, Carl would speak to me every time I passed. He would remind me of the fabulous omelet he made me. He was encouraged. He was smiling. He did not avoid me. I accepted him and we even got to talk about church and such.

Such is the making a relationship. It builds one ingredient at a time. Talking at first. Spending time with them. Being in their home and world. Showing interest in them. And the questions come.

I don't have to put myself and what I want out there. The Holy Spirit has a marvelous way of bringing each ingredient together and steering it in His direction.

This is a relationship omelet. In the middle of a buffet table, I began to know a new person. I was expanding my potential for Christian influence.

How about you? No matter what personality you have, add the ingredients in your measure with the constant prayer of reaching others for Christ. It is very satisfying to work with the Holy Spirit and watch how things come together. Omelet relationships-construct one today!

*Not his real name.

Nancy Willette is involved with her husband, Paul, in missional development on the Pittsburgh District for the Church of the Nazarene. She lives in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.