I took Stella to Chick-fil-A today. It is our usual daddy and daughter spot. The food is always good, the place is always clean, and the playground has a tractor beam on her the second she sees it.
After we ate and she had played long enough to build up her dessert appetite, we went to trade in her toy for ice cream. Normally she eats her cone in the truck, but today she wanted to sit at a table. I am so glad she did.
We grabbed a booth right by the drink station, and it gave us a front row seat to something beautiful. A homeless traveler had walked in and asked if they had any extra food. His shoes were caked with mud, his hair was matted, and his beard was not a style choice but a sign of survival. People kept their distance, but he remained kind. He spoke to others who reluctantly spoke back, and he smiled while waiting for the manager.
I could not hear every word, but I did catch the manager telling him he would love to give him a full warm meal, not just scraps. The only thing he asked in return was to pray with him. The man agreed. Right there in the middle of a busy lunch rush, the manager placed his hand on him and began to pray.
There was love in that prayer. The homeless man was not treated as an inconvenience. He was treated as the very reason that store opened its doors that morning. I told Stella to watch, and she stared quietly. Then she asked me what was happening. When I explained, she bowed her little head too.
It hit me in that moment. Chick-fil-A is not just doing business for profit. They use business to minister. In a world where so many companies are afraid to stand firm on their beliefs, Chick-fil-A thrives because they hold fast to their purpose.
I love teaching my daughter life lessons. And I love even more when I get to watch others teach her life lessons. Thank you Chick-fil-A for doing exactly that today.