Let me back up a few months to June 2015. God opened two doors for me to preach. One opportunity was at the church I was attending...Middle Island Baptist Church. The second was at Cornerstone Bible church in Port Jefferson Station, NY. I had opportunities to share at the Christian school Cornerstone supported, North Shore Christian School at their Elementary chapel services. Cornerstone asked me in January if I would preach in June. They were having a church wide retreat and needed coverage. I was happy to help! I always appreciated what the church was doing and felt confident in my preaching abilities. What happened next to me in the next few months still blows me away.
With so much uncertainty about where I would work and live, Pastor Mike, the then associate pastor now Senior Pastor of Cornerstone called me and said he needed to meet with me. I had no idea what it was about and thought maybe he needed me to share in church or maybe do a Kids Krusade. As I sat in his office, he told me that the Senior Pastor of the church was retiring and his house would be available. How would I like to live in the house...WHAT??? I asked him to repeat it because I thought I was dreaming. In return I would need to help on Friday evenings with their Awana Club. He also told me he would help set up counseling for me wife and I. I was so blown away. What happened next was definitely God. That exact morning before my meeting with Pastor Mike, I ran into Stan Abrahamsen at Panera Bread. I had not seen Stan since I resigned from SGT. Stan was the Head Deacon at the church but was also building a brand new Chick Fil-A restaurant directly across the street and would be the owner/operator. We spoke briefly and I told Stan I was a sales rep at TruGreen. He gave me his number and told me to call him. Two weeks later I saw Stan at a diner in Lake Grove. He was sitting with some gentlemen from Chick Fil-A and introduced me. He then said "Hey, you need to come to my house and do an estimate". We agreed on the following Saturday.
I drove to Stan's beautiful home not thinking about Chick Fil-A or working there. I was there to do an estimate for lawn care...period. God had other plans. As I sat on the steps of Stan's backyard deck, Stan came around the back and was smiling. "Hey Dave. How would you like to apply for a position at Chick Fil-A?" My mind drifted back to the fall of 1985. At that time in my life I needed extra money so I took a job at a Friendly's in the Smithaven Mall...at the grill. I remember telling my Dad when I got home about me new job. He laughed so hard that he was crying. If you know me, you know I am NOT Chef Boyardee. I burn cereal and can't cook to save my life. Stan told me I would be hired to prep food and work in the back. All I needed to do was apply. I didn't know it at the time but Stan told me later that God had spoken to him and told him to hire me. WOW! The following day at Panera Bread I applied and received a call that week for an interview. I was hired! After realizing my career as a sales rep was over I had to give TruGreen notice out of respect. I nervously walked into my boss Mike's office and told him the news. He said to me he was so happy for me and was actually going to lay me off that day. He then told me it was a privilege having me work for him and that he appreciated my hard work. My last day was September 19th.
Exactly one week later Chick Fil-A had their worker orientation. The Port Jefferson store was the very first in the state of NY with a drive thru. I proudly wore my black chef outfit and was so happy I wouldn't have to face people from my previous church who might "ask questions." Working in the back would be awesome! Two days after the orientation my cell phone rang and it was Chick Fil-A. "Hey, we think you are a better fit for us in the front of house. You seem to be a people person and we need you to work in the front. Are you willing to switch?" I said, "Of course. Wherever you need me!" We began our training the week after orientation from young people who came from all over the country to train us. We had lessons on how to fill drinks, make shakes, take orders at the register, do headset...every area possible. Chick Fil -A Port Jefferson officially opened on October 7, 2015. I had to report to work at 5:30 a.m. There were hundreds of people outside as well as the local news ready for that magical moment when the doors were opened. I will never forget the trainers telling us "Just run food to tables and to the "carry out" guests all day. After a few days you will be trained effectively." All I can say is after day number one I was exhausted. I never did more walking in one day in my life. I got home that night, sat in my chair and fell sound asleep. Day two we did it all over again.
I really enjoyed working at Chick Fil-A and still do. I made friends that will last a lifetime. I will forever be grateful to Stan for the opportunity I had to serve at CFA Port Jefferson. We all worked hard but we also had a lot of fun. I opened the restaurant as a team member 5 days a week and worked a midday shift on Saturdays. What was also great was that I lived exactly one mile from the restaurant. As crazy as it sounds, I also worked at Kohl's during the holidays which was insane. I don't know how I did it!!! Life was good and things were going well until my wife and I started our counseling. All I can say it was a huge train wreck. I wish I could say our marriage was healed and things were amazing but unfortunately that is not true.
After working at Chick Fil-A six months, I was promoted and became the opening manager. I opened the restaurant for the next year and a half and loved the new challenge. My hope was for a possible position at Cornerstone Bible church as maybe an associate pastor but due to my marriage situation it did not happen. In fact Cornerstone gave me three months to find a new place to live. I was frustrated but it was July and in the past few years God had always dome amazing things for me. What happened in July 2016 also blew me away. It was God at work but I'll save that for next time!!
UNTIL NEXT TIME
No comments:
Post a Comment