Practical Christian Mysticism

While I realize that joining the Catholic Church means I pretty much have to turn in my “spiritual maverick” club card, I still carry a heavy bit of cynicism against much of Christian culture.  I role my eyes at the “American-Idol-Wannabe” CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) music industry, groan when I see a little fish on the back of someone’s car as they cut me off in traffic, and have a strong urge to light the “Inspirational” book section at Wal-Mart on fire.  Because of this, Chick-fil-A, the overtly Christian fast food chain, found itself in my sceptic pile very quickly.  However, I am here to say that Chick-fil-A has both won me over, and given me a renewed positive attitude toward old-fashioned religious sensibilities.

I know this may seem like a strange thing to write about, but bare with me.  I was having a long day of running errands.  During my long day, I saw nothing but sad or expressionless faces. I had to deal with people who either hated or couldn’t care less about their jobs.  At lunch I stopped by a (insert any fast food chain here) and was attended by the usual half-aware semiconscious zombie.  Without anything really bad happening, I was getting depressed.  The whole world just seemed miserable.

On my way home, I felt like a milk shake and remembered that the last one I had at Chick-fil-A was pretty good.  I pulled up to the drive-through and was immediately greeted with an enthusiastic and cheerful voice on the other side.  Any other day, I may not have noticed (after all, isn’t that they way it’s supposed to be?), but today it really hit me.  Of course, it was followed through with fast service, accurate order, and picture perfect milkshakes.

So it really started me thinking, just about everywhere I go these days is depressing except for Chick-fil-A.  Whereas just about everywhere else I go I feel like cattle, at Chick-fil-A I feel human.  I think back to every time I have been there and my experience has just about always been the same.  The people are always working hard, moving fast, and staying cheerful and attentive.  The environment is clean, and I always feel safe eating the food.

I may have sighed every time I felt like a chicken sandwich on Sunday, and then realized they are closed.  I may have written off their various wallpaper describing their values and beliefs as gimmicky.  But in the end, Chick-fil-A really does it right, and I can’t help but give credit to the genuine religious conviction as the heart of the business.  In a world that is so persistently cynical and apathetic, there is no possible way the positive atmosphere and joyful countenance at Chick-fil-A comes from anything less than the Divine.

So here’s my kudos to Chick-fil-A, and to the great team at my local restaurant #01939, you guys have done a lot for my outlook toward my fellow Christian community.  Thanks a lot… I think I feel like Chicken for dinner tonight.