Grace Community Christian Church

 

Archived Things Above

DQ Charlie (5/7/09)

It had been a terrific, hot afternoon of helicoptering and airboating, and we were on a mission to find the closest Dairy Queen. Orlando has four, and only one of them was anywhere near where we were headed. International Drive is kind of like the boardwalk of Orlando, and not too far from our hotel, so we headed there.

As we walked in, Kim spotted a notice on the door. It read:

"I just want to thank GOD for all he has done for me. Nineteen years ago HE got me a job here at Dairy Queen, and then seven years ago He made a way for me to be the owner. GOD has blessed me here at Dairy Queen in so many ways. I even met my wife and got married here fourteen years ago. Today I honor GOD by giving all the money made today to my employees. It says in Colossians 3:23-24 NIV "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. It is the LORD CHRIST you are serving." Thank you GOD for giving me a cup that overflows and allows me to the honor to give to my employees. Charlie."

Inside the store, contemporary Christian music was playing, and we had to wait to order our ice cream because Charlie was gathering all his workers together behind the counter for a group photo. Everyone was smiling and laughing; the affection clearly going both ways between the staff and their boss. I paid the bill and let the girl keep the substantial change- even though I rarely tip at DQ, it just seemed right to be generous.

As I sat and enjoyed my Oreo Blizzard, I thought how lucky these kids were to have an employer who truly embodied his Christian values. I am aware of too many situations where bosses are supposedly Christian, but you would never know it by the way they treat their employees. They are demanding, inflexible, uncaring and bottom-line driven. Whatever Christian faith they think they have apparently stays up on a shelf, to be pulled down and dusted off for their Sunday performance, then returned ASAP so they can get on with the real world.

It was so encouraging to witness a real witness in the workplace: a follower of Jesus who didn't just say it, but lived it, at great expense, and with obvious delight.

I'm so glad we didn't take Bethany's advice and go to Friendlys!


Jim Dewar --