WHOLESOME

Fresh-squeezed lemonade is a hot weather treat.  If you buy frozen lemonade at the grocery, you get a dose of corn syrup.  So when you can find it with three simple ingredients (lemon juice, sugar, and water)...it's worth driving through.

We have such a place close to us that serves yummy lemonade.  The business even has a pleasant drive-through.  While some fast food places growl unintelligibly at the customer, the lemonade drive-through is amazingly courteous.  It's worth the drive just to hear "it's my pleasure to serve you...please drive through".

Management does a great job of training their staff to serve the public.  They lead employees to give "second mile" service (Matthew 5:41) and believe "our work should be an act of worship...our work should be our mission field".

This business was birthed by a man who learned to work hard by helping his Mama in her boarding house during the Depression.  Then he and his wife continued to work hard for 21 years in a small Mom-and-Pop restaurant they opened.  And just past midlife (@46), he began his current gig.  The grand total?  He has 60 years in the restaurant business.

Do you think in 1946 when they first opened their little restaurant...they could envision last year's sales that came to $4 billion?

From the jump, this founder felt the Lord would have him close his business on Sundays. Well, that was unheard of; everyone thought it was crazy because the weekend draws the crowd that goes out to eat.  But this man wanted his employees to be able to worship on Sundays, so he kept his eyes on what the Lord had called him to do.  He trusted God to do the rest.

God honored the man who honored Him.  ChickFilA and Truett Cathy prospered.  They have lived their purpose statement:  "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us...and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with ChickFilA".

With that purpose, you might be anticipating generosity from the company.  You would be right.  In 1984, they started their "WinShape Foundation" to help shape leadership in the next generation.

One division, the WinShape Homes foster program, reveals Mr. Cathy's heart for children.  There are 11 foster homes in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama who have served more than 150 children.  Mr. Cathy has taught 13-year-old boys in Sunday School for 40 years.

The foundation also has divisions that support leadership in college scholarships and wilderness experiences...and a division that sponsors marriage retreats for couples in crisis.  ChickFilA also sponsors a football bowl game.  Truett Cathy has received many philanthropy awards in his 91 years, and has published five books on motivation, parenting, and business.

This man's life presents a body of evidence that begs two questions:

1.  In a free country, shouldn't a business have the right to put their money where their beliefs are?  Are we down now to only political correctness in our country?  Boston and Chicago can't "eat more chikin" because of the founder's walk with God?

Mr. Cathy built the business and shared his wealth and gave jobs to many.  He is a shiny example of what America is all about.

2.  How did operating on wholesome, biblical principles become redefined as hateful?  How can something so positive be seen as negative?  Is truth that elastic?

Perhaps you might consider supporting this man by doing a simple thing on August 1st.

Would you drive through ChickFilA that day and enjoy his product?  That's how we can tell Mr. Cathy that mainstream America sees the target on his back...

...and we appreciate his courage and faithfulness.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution says:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."