JESUS LOVES THE "NIMROD'S"!!!

     I have to admit (in a nice way) that the month of February and so far March has been difficult. No, not because of finances, personal issues and other nonsense. It's been difficult because of one thing. I have had to deal with a lot of Nimrod's! Although Chick Fil-A is a Christian owned business, it doesn't necessarily mean that everyone who walks into the restaurant loves Jesus. Some, with all due respect, can be true Nimrod's.

     So, I'm sure you are asking, what is a Nimrod? I look at it as a Christian or nice way of calling someone extremely annoying. I truthfully try not to let people get to me, but I have noticed lately there have been a lot of Nimrod's I have seen in the past 5 weeks. The purpose of this weeks blog is not to complain at all. It is, in fact, to let you know how God is helping me deal with the Nimrod's of this world. Jesus loves Nimrod's!

    

     When I was hired by Chick Fil-A in Port Jefferson, NY and started on day one, our owner/operator Stan showed us a video. The video took place in a restaurant and depicted people walking into the restaurant all with things on their minds. They had words over their heads of the struggles they were facing. Some had family members with cancer, others had financial worries, some were even young kids struggling with suicide. That video really hit me hard. Stan also explained that he wanted to bring southern hospitality to New York. My first reaction was "good luck with that one!" A week later, when our trainers came in to train us, they emphasized "great customer service." We were encouraged to "go the extra mile" and "create raving fans." In a nutshell, we wanted to see guests come back. I will have to admit I was very impressed with how our trainers handled our New York friends. In no way did I ever see anyone get rattled by a guest, especially dealing with a Nimrod. I even said to one of the trainers "You're going to let that man speak to you that way." His answer was simple. "You can't let people get to you. Treat everyone the same. You want them to return to your restaurant. You honestly don't know what they are going through." Great answer!

     In my 3 1/2 years of working in 3 different restaurants (2 Chick Fil-A's), I have dealt with my share of Nimrod's. Here are a few.

• A man brought a free breakfast biscuit card after breakfast was over demanding I give it to him then cursed me out.
• On a holiday when we opened for lunch, a man wanted a plate of scrambled eggs and demanded the phone number for corporate because we did not have eggs after 10:30 a.m.
• A lady received the wrong meal and threw food at me at the drive thru.
• A man purchased two meals and wanted 37 sauces. When I tried to sell him an 8 ounce container of Chick Fil-A sauce, he told our store leaders I was extremely rude.   

          During this past month, I will admit I allowed people (Nimrod's) to get to me. I made a great decision that I know will help me. I prayed that I would see people the same way Jesus does. Boy, did that help! I didn't allow anyone sarcastic or rude to spoil my day. I realize that there are people in this world who are truthfully not happy. I will never forget an old saying I heard years ago. HURT PEOPLE, HURT PEOPLE! The same God who sent His one and only Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins is the same God who sent His one and only Son Jesus to die on the cross for their sins. Jesus loves me, he loves you and yes...He loves those rude, obnoxious Nimrod's who try to ruin your day. We can't let them. Life is too short!!