Be the best in this work of grace in the same way that you are the best in everything, such as faith, speech, knowledge, total commitment, and the love we inspired in you.

2 Corinthians 8:7

Friday evening, bundled up against the cold for the short hike from our house, Rebekah and I returned to the sensational On the Square restaurant, this time bringing along good friends from Wake Forest to enjoy a taste of what makes Tarboro unique.

Gayle and John are, for us, synonymous with our beautiful Wake Forest experience. They renewed their involvement at WFPC about the time we arrived, and have been faithful friends as well as faithful witnesses and leaders in the community.

We made our dinner reservations for early in the evening because we knew we would need the extra time to talk.

Presentation:

The food was – no surprise – exceptional in every way. And the experience reminded me, again, of how important presentation is in the complete fine-dining equation; not just in the world of food, but in other areas too.

N.B. My food photographs aren’t the best this time, because we were too caught up in conversation for me to do much more than grab a few one-snap images (I even had to “borrow” the picture of my Petit Filet steak from Cary Magazine because mine was out of focus).

Anyway, I made the comment that “presentation absolutely affects flavor,” and the more I think about it the more truth I can see. I believe it’s because, regarding our senses, we are not one-dimensional. Taste, smell and sight all work together. There is an interplay between all these elements – plus the sounds and the textures too. It takes a lot more words – and a lot more than words – to understand this powerful alchemy that goes well beyond taste or flavor.

Additionally, the spiritual and the relational and the atmospheric elements of the experience have an impact on the palate. This is why a cappuccino in Italy (sipped from a simple ceramic cup while sitting outside in a busy Tuscan piazza) tastes, feels, smells, and hits the palate in a certain way that is not only delicious but experientially impactful. It is nothing like the exact same drink served in a paper cup in North Carolina.

At the same time I have always pushed back hard against the idea of “appearances,” and “dressing the part,” and “get a haircut!” and all the outwardly focused preemptive judgements we so quickly and easily tend to make.

“Sharp Dressed Man” principle!

But I do believe it makes sense to look at the broad picture, especially if we want to communicate something important. And we can’t argue with the fact that the way something is presented absolutely does effect how is is perceived and, ultimately, experienced.

Maybe I will call this the ZZ Top “Sharp Dressed Man” principle!

If you have something worthwhile, serve it on fine china and with thoughtful presentation; if you’re going to an important meeting, dress nicely and do your homework; if you have a meaningful message to share, deliver it with the excellence and enthusiasm it deserves.

Maybe this is where I was supposed to land this post (I seldom know when I begin writing!). If you – if we – have something important to share, to communicate, to deliver – especially a message as precious and important as the Gospel – then nothing but our very best is ever appropriate.

If we have something important to share, to communicate, to deliver – especially a message as precious and important as the Gospel – then nothing but our very best is ever appropriate.

Nothing but our very best. On the Square.. at home… at work… or in The Church – DEREK

Thanks, Gayle, for the photo of us with Max: