McCy-Dees, pretty please!!!!
Don’t get me wrong, I love eating at home. Really, nothing can beat those homemade noodles with soft, savory made-from-scratch- bread and hand-battered chicken of which only grandma holds the recipe.
But I also miss the savory, softly warm, fast-food, french fries that are only mentally calorie-free. Almost comparable is my cravings of the salty touch from those warm, crisp, Mexican tortilla chips. Yum…
Salivating anyone?
In times of the Covid, I felt going to the fast food restaurant–drive through only–was by far my best option to benefit from. And benefit I did. Just not in the way I expected.
You see, in a time of social distancing, I assumed we would…you know…stay distant. However, this was one of the most connecting experiences I have had in a long, long time. Let me tell you why.
When I was at the local McDonalds about to hoard the family set of $2 double burgers-plus my own fries and ice cream- I could feel the excitement rush through my veins as I pulled forward from the order station towards the pay clerk. The anticipation was from both the upcoming sweet and salty taste as well as the hesitation of spending valuable dollars on only my version of invaluable food. In a family flourishing with human service workers, we are never rolling in any “dough” other than the type of which our kids play. I felt that every, last bite was going to be worth the dollars paid…as soon as the slow, maroon, worn-down van in front of me got going. Anytime now…
I remember the replenishing of anticipation as the brake lights turned bright red in front of me. The van moved forward slowly…as did I. As I rolled in front of the pay clerk I remember seeing her young eyes, bright and friendly, as I saw a grin cover her face as she greeted me. I love it when I can lighten up someone’s day.
But I hadn’t.
The van in front of me had.
“You are already paid for,” the young lady proudly declared as she handed me a receipt. Barley over 16 years of age, I could see how great she felt in saying that to me. The van I had been trying to rush had been using time to bless me! I swallowed every impatient irritation that had engulfed me before. The good Lord was calling me out to be thankful and grateful in all circumstances. I should have waited patiently, trusting my requests would be granted. I felt the urge to show humility and thankfulness by doing the same. Thankfully, I could afford my food.
I told the young lady I would like to continue the blessing and pay for the person behind me. I remember her uncertain laugh in the shock of my response. “But he only has a drink!” she said trying to return my high dollar change amount. “What is going on with everyone?!” she laughed.
I refused to take the money back. “I’ll tell you what, how about you keep the tip? You made all the blessings happen just as God had planned. Now He wants me to bless you.”
The biggest pay off for me was that moment with that server. She, unbeknownst to me as a believer or not, accepted the blessing and began to tear up saying this was all so “unreal.” The girl giggled through her wet eyes with a soft thank you to me and, maybe for the first time, to Him.
It was then my turn to pull forward for the completeness of my desired yummies.
Now, I was getting to go home with both Burgers and Blessings! (with fries and a shake .)[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column] [/et_pb_row] [/et_pb_section]