Four years sure do go by fast.
Last Friday, I graduated from Troy University. God has used this time in Troy, AL, to draw me closer to Him, and I will forever be grateful for every person I have met, every place I have been, and every moment I have experienced.
In the past few weeks, I had my last undergraduate class, I had my last “Dead Day,” I had my last final, I walked on the Troy University campus as at student for the last time, in addition to so many other “lasts.”
And about three weeks ago was my last day at Chick-fil-A.
The past (almost) two years have been the best two years of my life (so far).
That’s crazy, right? “It’s just a job,” some may say.
But working at Chick-fil-A hasn’t been “just a job” for me. God has used this work experience to grow me into a patient person, a willing servant, and a purposeful team member.
So, I just wanted to share some of what God has taught me from my time at the magical place that is Chick-fil-A.
1) Being a Steward
Chick-fil-A’s mission statement:
“To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”
What a mission statement right!?
It’s been such an honor to take on this mission with CFA and a pleasure to bring this mindset with me on the World Race. In everything we do as a squad on the Race we will be doing in the name of Christ. We will be entrusted with so much for His kingdom and His glory. It won’t be a responsibility taken lightly. The first boss I worked for at CFA encouraged us to not only take care of what is entrusted to us, but to leave it better than how we found it. As my squad and I travel to these 11 countries, it is my prayer that we are faithful stewards and leave Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Lesotho, South Africa, Madagascar, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic better than how we find them at the beginning of each month. It’s my hope that we have such a positive influence on the people in these countries that their lives will be changed by the gospel and love of Christ.
2) Being Patient
If your patience has never been tested, please get in customer service business and start saying your prayers!
Nevertheless, God used Chick-fil-A to give me the opportunity to pray for more patience than I have in my whole life, and what a blessing it has been!
In the book of James, we find James urging Christians to live out genuine faith.
James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…”
This verse is so encouraging when it comes to working in an atmosphere that deals with people constantly. It’s not always easy to deal with guests that really want lunch food during breakfast on a busy Saturday, but having this verse tucked in the depth of my heart allowed me to be patient with difficult guests or coworkers and approach various situations with love that only comes from God!
We are all human and can all get a little aggravated, so I know on the Race patience will be needed for me, as well as for others about me!
3) Being Kind
It can be hard sometimes to be kind to those who may not reciprocate said kindness. But like Chick-fil-A’s mission statement said above, we are “to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.”
For me, I didn’t want the Chick-fil-A mindset to stop when I clocked out at the end of my shift. Troy is a small town, and I wanted people that knew I worked at Chick-fil-A to see no difference in me whether I was working, sitting in class, walking across campus, buying groceries, etc.
It may be cliché to use “The Golden Rule” here, but Matthew 7:12 says, “So in everything, do to others what you have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Most of us eat fast food at least once a week, so for me it was easy to think about my experiences at other restaurants and apply it to my workmanship on the other side of the counter.
As for the Race, being kind will be so important. I will be traveling with about fifty squad mates for eleven months and helping ministry partners in a variety of countries, each with their own cultural differences. It’s vital that Matthew 7:12 isn’t just a “rule” that I was taught in elementary school, but words from God that I apply every day to treat everyone I come in contact with, with respect and kindness.
4) Being a Servant
When you think of Chick-fil-A, you [hopefully] think of great customer service.
For me, there were days when being a servant was so natural; you know, the days when everyone expresses their appreciation for what you are doing.
Then, there were days when I felt like I was the most unappreciated person on the planet and question why I was even trying.
I was wanting some kind of praise or at least acknowledgement for my hard work. But God quickly reminded me that’s not what being a servant is about!
One of my fellow team members shared with me the verses that encourage her daily, Colossians 3:23-24, which says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
It was so convicting for me to hear these verses! It allowed me to see the bigger picture of why we are here. We aren’t serving or doing good works for our own sake, but to serve God and share the love of Christ.
As I prepare to leave for the Race, this will definitely be a lesson I take with me. I pray that everyday of my trip (and the rest of my life) I will serve others for His glory and not my own.
5) Being Part of a Team
Better yet, I should say being part of a family. Working for a store that has majority college students means there is a lot of turnover in employees, but what a better way to make the family bigger? I have made many of my life long friends here and met people I never would have spoken to just walking across campus.
The job doesn’t get done if we aren’t working together, then people don’t get their chicken sandwiches, then guests get impatient, then we have to keep a smile on our face and apologize for the wait, then…
You get the picture.
“Teamwork makes the dream work” has never had so much meaning behind it until you have a double-wrapped drive thru and a crowd on counter, and we need to get rid of that red on our screen! One person trying to do everything sure doesn’t work, and even one person just trying to do “their placement” for their shift doesn’t get the #1 meal large sized with a Coke out either.
What makes it happen is the managers, team leaders, trainers, and team members working together, asking what they can do to help out, taking initiative when a guest needs a refill, or filling up the ice for drive thru when there is a minute to spare.
(I hope you can look past the CFA lingo and see what I am getting at.)
I am beyond thankful for Chick-fil-A for teaching me this valuable life lesson and cannot wait to meet my World Race Squad in June and do life with them for eleven months.
