I'll have two chili dogs, chips and a few words of inspiration
One of the cool things about living in the heart of the Bible Belt is that people seem more apt to integrate their faith with their business lives.
Case in point, similar to Chick-fil-A, I have a friend who closes his restaurant on Sundays so that he's not forcing his employees to choose between working and attending church. Granted, his people don't have to use their day off to go to church, but at least they have the option.
Of course, the intersection of belief and business isn't always a good thing. I've seen plenty of people portray themselves as Christians to gain trust with people for the sole purpose of selling more insurance or manicures or cars.
As a general rule, if someone tells you they're a good Christian person as part of their sales spiel, get up and walk away. You should be able to tell someone's a Christian without them having to tell you.
Today at lunch I saw one of the coolest examples of someone merging their faith with their business.
A colleague and I stopped at a local hot dog shop. It was my first visit, so I followed the lead of the guy I was with and ordered their special - two chili dogs, chips and a drink.
As I ordered, he asked if I wanted my hot dogs "loaded up."
I asked him to elaborate.
"Everything we do here," he said, "we do with the love of God. Which means we do everything BIG."
"When we load up a hot dog," he explained, "you eat it with a fork and a knife. You can't pick it up."
As we sat and ate our lunch, I heard him tell the same story to every new customer that came in.
Here's a man running a little hot dog shop, loving on people by heaping a little extra chili on their meal - and demonstrating that God's love is BIG.
How cool is that?
And he's right. God's love is big.
Big enough to cleanse me of all my stains. Big enough to forgive all the stupid stuff I do.
And, hopefully, big enough to help me survive eating loaded up chili dogs.
Case in point, similar to Chick-fil-A, I have a friend who closes his restaurant on Sundays so that he's not forcing his employees to choose between working and attending church. Granted, his people don't have to use their day off to go to church, but at least they have the option.
Of course, the intersection of belief and business isn't always a good thing. I've seen plenty of people portray themselves as Christians to gain trust with people for the sole purpose of selling more insurance or manicures or cars.
As a general rule, if someone tells you they're a good Christian person as part of their sales spiel, get up and walk away. You should be able to tell someone's a Christian without them having to tell you.
Today at lunch I saw one of the coolest examples of someone merging their faith with their business.
A colleague and I stopped at a local hot dog shop. It was my first visit, so I followed the lead of the guy I was with and ordered their special - two chili dogs, chips and a drink.
As I ordered, he asked if I wanted my hot dogs "loaded up."
I asked him to elaborate.
"Everything we do here," he said, "we do with the love of God. Which means we do everything BIG."
"When we load up a hot dog," he explained, "you eat it with a fork and a knife. You can't pick it up."
As we sat and ate our lunch, I heard him tell the same story to every new customer that came in.
Here's a man running a little hot dog shop, loving on people by heaping a little extra chili on their meal - and demonstrating that God's love is BIG.
How cool is that?
And he's right. God's love is big.
Big enough to cleanse me of all my stains. Big enough to forgive all the stupid stuff I do.
And, hopefully, big enough to help me survive eating loaded up chili dogs.
posted by Leighton @ My Best Investments at
1:00 AM
10 Comments:
I think Jesus' position on the behavior of those who take advantage of his name to make a living, is pretty clear based on the temple scene.
Also, isn't there a passage about "taking advantage of people in God's name" and there being some kind of "woe" involved?
But the dog sounds delicious. Too bad Jesus couldn't have enjoyed a nice dog or two. Maybe a turkey-dog, but then, that's kinda blasphemous to hot dogs everywhere.
Very cool!
Awesome story! Now I have to know where this little joint is so CAL and I can go visit!!! Shoot me an email and let me know!
Have a fab day!
Nicely said.
We'll pray for your physical recovery.
I didn't know they still had hot dog shops. Besides Pink's. Great. Now I'll be craving chili dogs all day. With chips. And dip...
Can I get an AMEN??
And a new craving?
I agree...Christians shouldn't have to annouce to the world that we/they are Christians. It's a lifestyle which is meant to be shared with others.
Emily
I knew hot dogs were heavenly! :-)
I have indigestion just thinking about it (which actually happens to me since I hit my 30's). Regardless, I am excited that I can know eat chili dogs and remember God's awesome love for us at the same time.
This makes me think of Shin Thrasher's hotdogs in Anderson, SC. They are dive locations but the best hotdogs I've ever had. Each one has a sign by the register that says, "the language you use in church is good enough to use here"
I think for some reason, this post is my favorite that you've written so far. It's true, it's honest and it's BIG on sharing God's love with skin on.
AWESOME! Great, great story. Did you go back and say something to the guy at the counter?
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