Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Running my family like a Chick-Fil-A

If you have ever been to a Chick-fil-A, you probably noticed some ways that it isn't like other fast food restaurants.  For one, it is cleaner and usually has fresh flowers on the table.  The food is fresh and the drive-thru is remarkably fast.  But that isn't what really sets Chick-fil-A apart for me.  What I love to hear every time I'm diving in to my #1 Deluxe, no cheese, with honey bbq sauce is those magical words every employee utters hundreds of times a day: "my pleasure."  Every time you ask for something at Chick-fil-A, the employees are to respond by saying, "my pleasure".  What that means to me is that they are excited to serve their customers and aren't put out by my request for an extra ranch packet.

So what does this have to do with my family?  Quite a bit actually.  I want my kids to respond the same way when I ask them to do something.  Not because it sounds nice and I'm hoping they will get a job in serving chicken but because our homes are to be micro chasms of the world we live in and a proving ground for their future.  It isn't about being Stepford children to their parents or saying some magical words but about ultimately turning their hearts towards serving their King with a joyful, willing heart.  Psalm 100:2 (NASV) reads, "Serve the Lord with gladness", and I want them to grow the habit of having a cheerful attitude while doing a task.

I have been reading the Duggars' book about management of their large family and this is one of the tenets of obedience in their home.  Their children are encouraged to say, "Yes ma'am, I would be happy to", when they are asked to do something.  I love seeing the beautiful hearts of their children displayed on television as they serve in their community and on mission trips and I want that for my kids.  The hard part is that whenever we as parents want to introduce a new principle in our home, we have to take the lead.  And by take the lead, I mean we have to follow through in front of them.  So when my husband asks me if I could grab him a glass of water, I need to model, "my pleasure", in front of them.

See it just happened...my oldest daughter just asked for a glass of milk.  I could have told her I would get it in a minute.  After all, I'm busy writing this super important blog and all.  But I hopped up, said it would be my pleasure, got her the milk and even gave it an added bonus.  I asked her if she wanted some Ovaltine in her milk.  That is a little Sermon on the Mount lesson thrown in about going the extra mile that I would love to see reflected in my children's attitude.

They say it takes 66 days to make a new habit.  Check up with me in a couple months!

5 comments:

  1. Stopping in via babycenter.com and I'm glad I did! I love this post and it's a great reminder to do all things unto the Lord (col. 3:17) without complaining (phil 2:14)! What an example we can be! Great post!

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  2. thanks guys! I posted an update and it is working!!! They are saying it all the time without being prompted and they have been volunteering to help more. Their words changed first and then their actions.

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  3. i love chick-fila and i REALLY love the duggars!! sounds like it is working good so far! :)

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