A Proud Sister

My brother and I have many differences and have come a long way in our relationship since we were children. We have learned to listen, encourage, and support each other in many decisions we have made…especially over the past few years. I have come to see him as a godly man, dedicated manager, loving father and husband, and I have learned some important lessons from him. I am proud of my brother.

Over the past eight years my brother has worked hard to become an owner of a Chick-fil-A restaurant. In high school and college he worked many positions in Chick-fil-A’s in North Carolina and later felt like he could make this a career. Through prayers from friends and family members and encouragement he has come a long way.

I was proud to travel on this journey with him. I was thankful for the opportunities available to me to visit him at every store he managed, to help with his children while and his and wife worked together, and to get my “day of work” each year on Black Friday. I have seen my brother listen to his employees, work out difficult problems, take a store that is about to be closed and make it into something that other Chick-fil-A managers talk about over coffee.

When I was in the process of raising my support to move to Papua New Guinea I was realizing that I might not work in my brothers next store, if there was one. One day my brother called and asked if I could drive to Virginia from North Carolina to watch his two children for the day. He explained that he and his wife needed to go to an important meeting…one that might result in him being owner of this store. I recalled how I had felt right before he called, discouraged. I was making very little money and each day balancing between speaking arrangements and part time nanny jobs. I had just been informed that I was not needed to work on Wednesday but was needed the rest of the week. I told my brother yes I would be there and hung up the phone.

I am so thankful that I was not working that day so I could be there for my brother, like he had been there for me so many times. He was offered that store and has done some amazing things with it. It was almost as though God gave me this last experience with my brother and his store before I left to remind me that He has my brother and his future in his hands. A few days ago he was acknowledged at a seminar. He was 1 of 5 recognized in his region. Since we were not able to attend he sent us a video clip and some pictures of the event. When I heard my brother’s name called, tears rimmed my eyes. I am so proud of him. He has matured so much over the last few years and I was thankful that I could be there with him while he moved, transitioned, prayed, and worked hard. I hope that God continues to bless him and his family as they seek to do his will in whatever He puts before them.