Wendy’s Cashier

The other day, I was driving home from church, feeling really hungry since I hadn’t eaten much all day. There happened to be a Wendy’s on the way home, and being a fan, I figured I’d stop there. I was having a pretty average day, maybe even below average, just feeling tired.

When I pulled up to the drive-thru speaker, I found myself fumbling through my order. Normally, I know exactly what I want, but this time, I kept changing my mind, debating what to get. At one point, I asked for one item, then backtracked, saying I might want something else instead. The cashier on the other side of the speaker laughed and jokingly said, “Man, you’re supposed to know what you want!” He said it in such a comical, light-hearted way that it made both of us laugh, lifting my mood.

I finally settled on my order, pulled up to the window, and the cashier greeted me with this big, cheerful smile. His good nature and sense of humor instantly brightened my day. I happened to be on the phone with my godfather, who could hear our interaction. Even he commented on how uplifting that guy must be, just from the warmth in his voice.

This small moment reminded me how powerful a friendly smile and a few laughs can be. It’s incredible how a simple, positive interaction with a stranger can turn around an entire day. God has been teaching me lately that we can learn so much from everyday people—not just from priests, saints, or those in high positions. It’s the regular folks who often show us glimpses of the person we want to be and remind us of the joy we can share with others in small, simple ways.