Yesterday, I took the Chick-fil-A Cow over to a local elementary school around 2:00pm to greet parents and kids in the car line as they left to go home. Spirit Night for that school was later on in the day at our restaurant, and we were there to give hugs and high-fives as a reminder to parents to come out and support the local school.
We arrived a couple minutes ahead of schedule, and before the mass exodus of children, a lady pulled up curbside and walked towards the door, phone in hand. I overheard her saying these words as she passed me: “[desperation in her voice] My husband is in surgery, and I literally have no one here.” The voice on the other end [speakerphone] replied: “I know. I wish I were there.” To which the mom passing me says: “I wish you were here too.” She then disappeared inside the school.
The Cow and I began walking towards the other end of the parking lot to greet the bus line, just as she reappeared with her elementary-aged child. She situated her daughter in their vehicle and opened her door to leave. That’s when I seized the opportunity to make a difference.
“Hey! Did I hear you say your husband was in surgery?” She stopped, looked up and proceeded to tell me that he was indeed in surgery and that it’s been an awful day. I then told her that we were providing dinner for her family that evening. Anything she wanted. Nugget tray, wrap tray, fruit tray…. anything. I gave her my number and told her to text me with the order, along with where she needed it, and what time she needed it delivered.
As she stood there crying, I placed my arm around her and told her this is what we do. We look for opportunities to be there for people. To be a blessing. To make difference in people’s lives. She then then told me she is so very thankful for Godly people in her life. Interesting! She did not know I was a Christian. I reached out to her in a time of need, and I was wearing a Chick-fil-A uniform… but how interesting – equating what I did to Godliness.
That has a lot to do with why I want to be a Chick-fil-A owner/operator. We do what we do to the Glory of God. It’s in our Corporate Purpose. It’s in our DNA. This story is not to pat myself on the back. Not at all. Because I know, with confidence, that given that opportunity, anyone wearing a Chick-fil-A uniform would have reached out. It’s who we are. We are people lovers, and we desire to make a difference in our communities for God’s glory!
She did text me back that evening and asked if she could simply run by the store and order herself since it was close by to the pharmacy for her husband’s meds. That worked out even better because then those on staff at the store were given the heads up and were able to be involved with being a blessing to this family as well. What she probably will never know is how much of a blessing she was to us and our crew. It keeps us keeping on! #JustTruett
HOUSE OF PRAIN 