Mistaken Orders

Yesterday I learned about ‘The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders’ in Japan. It is a place where all the waitstaff are people with some sort of cognitive impairment due to dementia.

The man who created the concept was moved after spending time with dementia patients in a group home, and realized that they do so much of what other people do- they just sometimes go a little off course.

He wanted others to have a better understanding of what dementia is, so he created an environment where people can interact, have good food, and develop understanding at the same time.

“We want to change society to become more caring and easy-going, so dementia or no dementia, we can live together in harmony.” -Shiro Oguni, creator.

He also said “Our restaurant is stylish and serves great food. If your order was mistaken, you can shrug it off and enjoy what comes your way anyway.”

He knows they are providing good, quality products- you just don’t always get what you asked for. And even though you may get the wrong food, somehow it’s okay. You can still enjoy it because all the food is good.

Some of the things patrons said in the video I watched really touched me.

Things like:

“There were some mistakes, but it was so warm-hearted you just laughed it off.”

“[Our customers] expected mistakes, so were okay with it.”

“If your order was mistaken, you can shrug it off and enjoy what comes your way anyway.”

“It created an air of easy-going acceptance.”

As I watched this video and saw the beauty created by people having patience with those who were struggling but trying, I couldn’t help but think of the church.

We are a family. Our Creator knows that what He has made is good. In our churches we are providing ‘quality product’ to those in attendance: the Word of God, the Gospel, opportunities to know God better, fellowship.

But do we foster a sense of understanding, forgiveness, patience? Are we easy-going and able to laugh off simple mistakes and enjoy what comes our way because we go into it knowing mistakes will be made? We are all human- mistakes are unavoidable.

People struggle. Their struggle may not look like mine, but we should foster an environment where we have easy-going acceptance. Where grace is shown because we’ve been where other people are, and we know what the grace of God has done for us.

See, God calls us to live and work in unity. What if we in the church had the kind of grace for one another exhibited in ‘The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders’?

“Made possible by the help of many people, the “Restaurant of Mistaken Orders” is indeed a place where mistakes happen. One older woman shows her guests to a table and then sits down with them. Another serves a hot coffee with a straw. Everybody at the table pitches in to help, and with cries of “We did it!” all join in the laughter.” [article on Japan.go/tomodachi]

However, “The restaurant is not about whether orders are executed incorrectly or not,” notes Oguni. “The important thing is the interaction with people who have dementia.”

What if we, as the church, focused on working together, gladly pitching in when there is slack, working together in unity so we can join in the cry “We did it!” and then praise God and celebrate together?

What difference would it make if we go into any undertaking knowing that mistakes are going to happen, that people will get things wrong (including me!), but the most important thing is our relationships with each other, and how we reflect Christ?

What part can you play in fostering an environment of warm-hearted acceptance of people, mistakes and all? How can you learn to enjoy what comes your way, even if it isn’t ‘what you ordered’?

Colossians 3:12-15
(12) “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
(13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
(14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
(15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

Galatians 6:1-2
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
(2) Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Acts 2:41-47
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
(42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.(43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
(44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
(45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
(46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
(47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

To view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su34Gx-STQk