What This Chick-Fil-A Manager Did For A Homeless Man Warmed My Heart. What A Beautiful Act Of Kindness!
January 19, 2015

Eat more chicken!
What a wonderful story about an owner of a Chick-Fil-A and his tender-hearted moment as a man in need entered his franchise. This story of kindness shown by a complete stranger will warm your soul.
Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
Read on, you'll see what I mean.
It's been so cold in Birmingham, Alabama that they've had stuff shivering they didn't know could shake.
It was especially bitter on the afternoon of January 7th and a good many folks had taken shelter from the cold by grabbing lunch at the Chick-fil-A on Highway 280 in Inverness.
One of the diners who came in that day was a bit unkept. He was wearing jeans and a hoodie, hardly the kind of clothing for a day like that. Most folks just figured he was a homeless fellow.
The man first made eye contact with Mark Meadows, the owner of this Chick-fil-A.
"I was about to leave when this gentleman walked in the door," Mark told me. "I could tell he needed some help. We have people come in from time to time so you kind of know."
And sure enough, Mark's instinct was correct.
"He asked if there was some work he could do so that he could get something to eat," he said.
Now, it would not be unusual for a person like that be escorted out of a restaurant. But the Chick-fil-A on Highway 280 is no ordinary restaurant. Last year, when a freak snowstorm hit the city, Meadows and his staff personally fed hundreds of motorists trapped in their cars, free of charge.
So instead of ordering the homeless man to leave, Mark invited him to have a meal. As the man waited for his chicken sandwich and waffle fries, Mark could not help but notice the man was rubbing his hands together.
"There's a look about somebody's hands that's been out in the cold," Mark said. "It's got that cold look about them."
The man did not have a pair of gloves. So Mark gave him his.
"I went back and got his food and he put on the gloves and then he left," Mark said.
The entire encounter lasted just a few minutes “and that was that. But in this day and age of SmartPhones “that was not that.
Andrea Stoker happened to be eating lunch in the restaurant that day with her little boy. And she could not help but notice the interaction between the store owner and the disheveled man. She took a photograph and posted a message on her Facebook page “a message that has since gone viral.
Here's what she wrote:
"Bryson and I are sitting in Chick Fil A on 280. A man walked in to get warm with all of his earthly possessions on his back. The manager, who is on his break, got up and asked the man if he could get him anything. Before the man could even answer, the manager asked if the man had any gloves and handed him his, then got him the meal of his choice. There is still so much good in this world and I'm so grateful that Bryson saw it all unfold."
Mark said he had no idea that anyone was watching or that anyone took a photograph.
"She was in tears," he said. "She was very appreciative for what I had done “and she said she used it as a teaching moment for her son."
So why is Chick-fil-A so generous?
Well, Mark told me it's the same reason they gave away all those chicken sandwiches during last year's blizzard.
"It all comes from Truett Cathy and the Cathy family and the principles Chick-fil-A has been established on," he said.
And those principles are "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A."
Folks, I've concluded that Chick-fil-A is a chicken sandwich for the soul.
Mark Meadows is the real deal, folks. That's what Audrey Pitt tells me. She's been working for him for the past decade.
"He's fantastic to work for," she said. 'You get to watch someone live out an example of who you should be as a person every day. I know it's had a huge impact on me personally."
Chick-fil-A is definitely not your average fast-food restaurant.
"It's a different culture than most places," Audrey said. "Within Chick-fil-A, you have the freedom to be that kind of person."
No one quite knows for sure what happened to the young man who walked into the Chick-fil-A on that bitterly cold day. His whereabouts is something of a mystery.
Mark said he'd never seen the man before last week and has not seen him since “leading some to wonder just who it was that came by 4620 Highway 280.
"Do not forget to entertain strangers," the book of Hebrews reminds us. "For by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels."
And some might have served them a chicken sandwich and waffle fries.
You never know who you are speaking to, serving or passing on the street. Be kind, be patient, be loving. Let others see Jesus in your eyes!
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Help Us Celebrate America’s Presidents - Your Daily Prayer - February 17
Father, we thank You for the courageous men who have served our nation as president. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those who have sought to follow Your will.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Help Us Celebrate America’s Presidents - Your Daily Prayer - February 17
Father, we thank You for the courageous men who have served our nation as president. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those who have sought to follow Your will.
Past Stories
- 98-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Has a Special Connection to Her Great-Granddaughter
- Mom Receives a Heartwarming Message From Best Friend After Son is Diagnosed With Autism
- Retired Army Medic Pays For Stranger's Breakfast and Leaves a Heartfelt Note
- Golden Retriever Saved by Lifeboat Crew After Running Into the Ocean After a Scare
- 10-Year-Old Boy is in Recovery After Being Struck by Plane Debris While Protecting Little Sister
- Car Accident on First Date Night Without Kids in a Year, Reminds Couple That God is in Control
- Teen Wasn't Given Much of a Chance to Live After Car Crash, But Now Celebrating Her 16th Birthday
- Girl Who Died Before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others With Her Message of 'Love is Everywhere'
- Beloved Young College Student Remembered by Fellow Students After DC Plane Crash
- Stranger Jumps Into Frozen Pond in South Carolina to Save 3-Year-Old Girl
- Man Saves 83-Year-Old Father-in-Law With Parkinson's From the LA Fires in Pacific Palisades
- Woman Felt Like She Was in a Movie When Giving Birth in a Krispy Kreme Parking Lot
- Walmart Employee Coach Justin Helps Mom and Autistic Child During Meltdown
- Woman Who Found an Old Family Photo After LA Fires Makes a Special Connection
- Teenager Who Finds Money at Restaurant, Doesn't Think Twice About Returning it to Owner
- World War Two Veteran Starts Over at 104 After Losing Home in Palisades Fire
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Lola Was Baptized After a Very Difficult Time
- Her 91-Year-Old Grandmother Is Besties With Her Husband and the Relationship Is Beyond Cute
- New Jersey High School Basketball Star Keeps Playing Through Cancer Diagnosis
- Dad Whose Daughter Died After Transplant Gives Kidney to Another Little Girl
- Musician is Reunited With Letterman Jacket, 30 Years After Ordering It Back in High School
- Twin Brothers Both Pop the Question Just Days Apart, Without Planning to Do So
- Girl Scout Saves Her Dad's Life Just 11 Days After Learning CPR
- This 100 Year Old Kentucky Centenarian Works At Home Depot, Offering Great Tips For a Long Life
- Woman Married 82 Years Has a Very Special Disney-Themed 100th Birthday Party
- Man Discovers 46 Year Old Christmas Present in the Wall of His Childhood Home
- 4 Year Old Twin Girls Are Heroes After Finding Retired Police Officers Wallet
- Her Cat Was Missing For 7 Years, But She Finally Came Back Home
- Delta Held a Plane So a Daughter Could Have One Last Goodbye With Her Dying Mother
- Even Through Dementia One Special Phrase Kept a Grandmother Connected to Her Husband
- Mom, Dad, and 6-Year-Old Daughter Are Heroes After Rescuing Woman From Overturned Car
- Couple Receive the Biggest Surprise Blessing After Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
- Old English Sheepdog Who Appears to Have Special Powers, Receives an Award
- 49 Years Later Daughter is Reunited With Birth Mother and Other Family After Taking DNA Test
- 22 Family Members Surprise Grandparents With a Fun Family Sleepover
- Scared Doodle Rescued From Thin Frozen New Jersey Lake With Help From Neighbors Drone
- Woman Caught in a Riptide is Saved by Fisherman's Hook
- Couple Finds Lost Ring In a Snowy Wonderland During Engagement Photo Shoot
- Jimmy Carter, 39th President, Passes Away at 100, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Service
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley Talks About Getting Her Voice Back After Losing It Two Years Ago
- 90-Year-Old From Oklahoma Is Rewarded For Going Out of His Way to Help Others
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
Top Music Videos

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson Captivates with Heartfelt 'My Jesus' Live Performance

Mac Powell Mac Powell 'I Love Jesus' Official Music Video

Passion Music Passion - The Lamb's Book of Life

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - It Is Well

toby mac TobyMac’ ‘God Did It’ Official Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.