TAKING A STAND FOR WHAT'S RIGHT AND TRUE

Today, as a family we took a stand and we did it at our favorite chicken restaurant. We went to Chick-Fil-A for dinner. I'm sure you've heard of the controversy where the owner spoke up for traditional marriage and all of left wing America came down on him and his business for it. The left called for a boycott of Chick-fil-A and even talked of not allowing them to open restaurants in certain cities across the nation--though those cities had to back off that later. That's a simplified version of what occurred but what it comes down to is the fact that this situation is about a whole lot more than chicken and boycotts. In fact, it hits at the very heart of our first amendment rights--first, at our right to freedom of speech and second, our right to freedom of religion.

Dan Cathy, the owner of Chick-fil-A, was asked in a recent interview how he felt about certain issues and he answered those questions. What most angered the left was that he stood up for traditional marriage. They didn't like this at all. It is my personal opinion they were baiting him so they could cause a controversy, but I can't prove it. At any rate, he has the right to his beliefs and opinion and to speak his mind. Dan Cathy is a very religious man -- all Chick-fil-A's are closed on Sundays and he treats his employees well.

For me this has become the camel in the tent argument. For years those who believe in something other than traditional marriage begged and pleaded for tolerance from us. I think to a large degree many of us gave that tolerance--and even love. Then they asked for civil unions--they needed the insurance and security. We said -- we understand, and said 'O.K to those. Then, they asked for marriage because they wanted exactly what men and women who are married have. Many of us believe that is one step too far because we believe marriage to be a sacred union between a man and a woman. It seems now that the entire camel is in the tent and we find ourselves on the outside looking in. We are now the ones who must ask for tolerance of our beliefs--only when we do, there is none. Absolutely none. It is as if they have never been on the other side of this equation--never walked a mile in these shoes. How quickly they forgot the tolerance we gave.

For me, standing in an hour and a half long line in 92 degree heat tonight was not at all about buying chicken or supporting a company I was afraid might go bankrupt if I didn't. For me, standing in that line tonight was standing up and being counted as a Christian, as a daughter of God who is willing to say out loud "I know my Savior Lives!" I Love Him! I read and understand his word and I will not be dragged about by the winds of this world. I know right from wrong and good from evil. Jesus Christ lives and He loves us and he wants us to follow HIM! He wants us to choose the right way not the popular way or the loudest or easiest way.

I don't do lines, seriously, I don't. I will drive out of my way to avoid standing in a line. I'd rather have a root canal than stand in a line. But tonight, I felt privileged and proud to stand up and be counted for Christ--because in my mind--that's what I was doing. This world isn't getting easier, it's getting harder. It's not getting lighter, it's getting darker. Our choices have to be the right ones, at the right times in the right places. As time goes on I feel like we are going to find ourselves forced into more and more of these corners where we have to choose--and I wish all of us Godspeed.

This line outside wrapped around the building and once inside snaked around two and half times. We waited an hour and a half to get our food from 7 p.m to 8:30 p.m. They opened at 10:30 in the morning and had been hit hard all day long. I called another Chick-Fil-A in the mall nearby to see if their line was shorter and they said they were really busy too but were almost out of food! Yay for conservative Christians!

It's a little hard to tell here but this is a view of the line. There weren't really very many people at tables because most were in the lines. The lines were several people thick and snaked more than twice through the restaurant before you could order. All this while the drive-through had two lanes backed up to the street full the whole time!

This is a view of the drive-through coming from two directions and backed up to the street from both. It was almost dark when we left and it was still backed up like this. I feel for their employees. They were working so hard!

Carly, Rob and Jono right as we were getting in line! Still chipper, before our hunger and thirst got pounding!