An Answer

For the past four weeks now I have been working at Chick-Fil-A as a cashier/dining room hostess. ...And there is no way that words could ever describe how much I LOVE my job. It's kinda crazy to think that I'm actually being paid to serve others. After all, it's not Chick-fil-A I'm working for. My motive behind serving our guests (not customers!) is because Christ calls us to "serve wholeheartedly as working for the Lord and not men."

The other day as I was serving cust--guests--in the drive-thru, the woman who was next in line pulled up to the window. I greeted her with a smile and a warm welcome, and proceeded to give her the total. As she handed me her credit card, she asked, "Why are you so happy? Does your manager require you to be like this?" I had a very hard time coming up with an answer...my reply ended being, "Well, it's a new day, and that in itself brings me great joy." She was satisfied with my answer. This woman was not the first to ask me this. I've had various comments such as, "You are WAY too excited for this time of day" or "Were you trained to act like that? Do you really HAVE to or else you'll get in trouble?" (lol...I loved that one...)

1 Peter 3:15 says to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the REASON for the hope that you have." I've always thought of this verse as being 'on guard,' ready to defend your faith. But don't you think that it might also mean being ready to give a reason for your joy that is found in Jesus Christ? After all, it is through His grace that we are able to be renewed daily, and only through Him that we even have life! I would like to come up with a quick, thought-provoking answer to give these people who ask about my happiness or, as they see it, my 'fulfilled' sort-of attitude. Third Day describes their overwhelming desire to show the world what love is, in their song "Ready." The chorus reads: "I want the world to turn because of love and mercy to find each of us, doing what we can to just believe. I want the world to know that YOU'RE the One who FILLS ME UP and GIVES ME HOPE and BRINGS ABOUT THIS CHANGE THAT'S IN ME." What a perfect picture of what our attitudes should look like involving those who are lost in sin, those who are in need of hope! If you can come up with an answer to give these people, leave it as a comment. Should it just be, "Jesus Christ" or "I have been blessed with a new day to serve Christ"? Maybe something along the lines of "My joy is found only through Christ's forgiveness"? ..but that's a little long and could leave them confused. I'm ready for some answers!!

SDG