The Quiet Christmas
Sometimes in the midst of the loudness of the holidays, we miss the really quiet moments of Christmas that remind us how beautiful this time of year is. In the hustle and bustle of a season that seems to fill the malls and our highways, we lose sight of the little things that matter.
I saw one of those just the other night.
I was on the phone with a friend. As I often do, I was making a stop by one of our Chick-fil-A locations on the way home after a day of work. It was raining, something that seems to be happening a lot lately in Atlanta. And before I went in to chat with a few employees I needed to finish my phone call.
There in the parking lot, under a dark rainy sky, I witnessed a moment that reminded me of why I’m so honored to be part of the Chick-fil-A family. It was cold. It was rainy. It was a miserable night, but as a car parked near me, I watched as the side door of the restaurant opened and out stepped a Chick-fil-A employee with a big umbrella.
He walked to the car that had just pulled in and waited, in the rain, while the customer got out. Then he patiently walked inside, making sure the entire time that they didn’t get wet on their way to dinner.
And then the night continued. He didn’t know I was in the parking lot. He didn’t do it because he wanted to impress someone on the Chick-fil-A leadership team. He did it because it’s Christmas and he knows the little things still matter in our family. He did it because that’s what we do all year long.
I was so proud of him.
It was such a little thing. No one would have noticed. But he did it. He did the Christmas thing.
That’s what I hope for you this year. I hope you’ll be surrounded by friends and family members doing the little things. At Christmas and all year long.
Expect umbrellas. Expect the little things.
Merry Christmas from me and all your friends at Chick-fil-A.
This post is categorized Love
Dan, thanks for sharing this story at a time when we should all be thinking of someone besides ourselves and looking for the little things to do in someone’s life. As I have heard before, the smallest good deed done, is better than the grandest intention.
I must add that while returning to Atlanta on a business trip from New York, just yesterday, I sat beside a gentleman that made a comment about Chick-fil-A. (Yes, CFA came up in our discussion since I am part of “the family” by way of marriage.) The gentleman commented on what a great job CFA does in hiring employees in the restaurants; i.e. appearance, attitude, service. Your story is proof that the Operator of the store you visited did his/her job.
Keep up the good work.
Bruce
I share this with you from a great leader and coach.
“LITTLE THINGS MAKE BIG THINGS HAPPEN.”
“Those under your leadership must be taught that little things make the big things happen. There are no big things, only a logical accumlation of little things done at a very high standard of performance.”
Coach John Wooden
Merrry Christmas
I pray your new year will be successful.