Ray Gator was the owner of a successful family hot dog stand named O’Peter’s Pedigreed Dogs. Ray decided it was time to expand his borders, so he went to the best corner in town to open a new stand.
When he got there, he found the corner was already occupied— by a homeless man, holding a sign that said “Will Work For Food”.
Ray saw this as a boon: he acquired a corner and a manager. He collared the guy, shoved a business card in his hand, pushed him into a taxi, and gave the driver the address.
A few minutes later, the guy was standing in front of Josh Gator, Ray’s son. Josh took him in, cleaned him up with a bath and new clothes, a great meal, and then sat him down tell him what this was all about.
“We’re going to give you equipment and training, and you’re going to run our business on your little corner there,” said Josh. He then sent the guy to a lush room for a good night’s sleep.
In the morning, Josh brought the guy out back to a truck that had everything on it needed to run a successful O’Peter’s Pedigreed Dogs. He introduced him to a lady standing beside it. “This is my mother,” said Josh. “She’s going to work with you, and teach you all you need to know about running this stand.”
An hour later, everything was ready to start the day’s business. The former homeless man looked great in his bright white apron and cooking hat, with his shiny spatula and red and white hot dogs. Josh’s mother showed him a card that was attached to the stand, where the guy could refer to it whenever necessary. She read it to him.
“Add to your bun, a hot dog. Add to your hot dog, chili. Add to your chili, condiments. Add to your condiments, onions. Treat your customers with respect. Do this, and it will keep you from forgetting how to make hot dogs. Above all, remember that you were once at least as hungry as they are. Some have forgotten this, and are now out of business. Do these things, and you will be wildly successful, and become a partner in the business.”
Josh’s mother worked with the guy all that day. They did a roaring business, and the guy was excited about his prospects. “I’ll come in the morning to see how you’re doing,” she told him. He went back to Josh’s for a dreamless slumber, and was taken to the cart, again looking dashing in his cook’s get-up.
Mid-morning, Josh’s mother came to check on the guy. He was standing at his cart, looking great, except for the slightly depressed look on his face, and the “Will Work For Food” sign in his hands. Josh’s mother was flabbergasted.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do,” he explained.
Moral: Next time you hear a Christian (including yourself) say “I’m not sure what God’s will is for my life”, remember this story, open your Bible to II Peter 1:3-11, and get to work!
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