Birmingham, Alabama, is known for many things, but snow storms are not
on that list.
Still, about a month back, a snowstorm is what
Birmingham, Alabama, got. According to forecasters, the day was supposed
to produce a few flurries. Their prediction came true ... in spades. The
flurries became a dusting, and then the dusting became a sloshy, snowy
mess, which paralyzed traffic.
Looking out the window of his
Chick-fil-A restaurant, owner Mark Meadows closed up shop and sent his
staff home for the day. His people gladly left and then, sadly, came
back. The roads had become so clogged with traffic they were unable to
get home.
As a Christian man, Meadows felt sorry for the folks
who were confined to their vehicles on the highway. That sympathy
motivated him to fire up the restaurant's fryers and the ovens and make
hundreds of Chick-fil-A sandwiches. Then, armed with these delectables,
Meadows and his staff started walking among the gridlocked cars.
They offered food to everybody they could reach, and they did it for
free.
There was no price gouging, no taking advantage of other
people's misfortune, Meadows and his staff simply wanted to help.
Indeed, when they were thanked for their generosity, they turned those
words of gratitude around and gave thanks to the Lord for giving them
the opportunity to help.
But free sandwiches are not the end of
Meadows' snowstorm philanthropy.
Evening came and there was no
respite for the motorists who had been stranded now for over seven
hours. Meadows came back to them and invited the folks to the
restaurant. There they could kick back, get warm, and sleep the night.
For accommodations and the next day's breakfast, there was no charge.
Chick-fil-A, a Christian-owned company, believes in practicing the
"Golden Rule."
Now the amazing thing is this: the world has been
amazed to hear this amazing story.
That's because they cannot
comprehend that when someone really gets to know Jesus Christ as Savior,
they are changed. Their thoughts, their minds, their actions are
changed. These changed people wish to say and do that which brings glory
to Jesus, who gave His life as their ransom.
Responding to Jesus
Christ is why Meadows and his staff did what they did. It's why many,
many Christians do much of what they do. They want to say, "Thank You!"
To the Redeemer who gave His all, so they might have all and have it for
eternity.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, this world is so filled with sin
that its inhabitants have a difficult time understanding any person who
does something caring for his neighbor in the Name of Christ. This is
why, today, we ask that You let our actions glorify You and touch our
neighbor. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
