The "Correct" Way to Make a Chicken Sandwich
Grace, Growth, and Guidance: How Love Lessens The Hard Lessons of Life
There I was, hairnet in place, rubber gloves that seemed to multiply on my hands, and flour absolutely everywhere. You’d think I was preparing for a culinary experiment, but no—this was my first day at a very famous chicken restaurant, and I was surrounded by people half my age (or younger), all telling me what to do. If there was an award for flour-covered pants, I’d have won it by lunchtime. And while I did manage to ruin at least half a dozen chicken sandwiches, the thing that stuck with me wasn’t my mistakes—it was how willing everyone was to help me get it right.
They were patient. They cared. And despite the fact that I’d been around long enough to be their parent, they taught me with grace. Every time I messed up, they showed me the right way, and little by little, I improved. It was a combination of their willingness to teach and my willingness to be taught that made everything go smoothly in the end. And believe me, I wasn’t getting it right at first.
It made me think about how important it is to have people invested in your success, no matter what the task is. And how being humble enough to accept correction—no matter your age or experience—opens the door for growth.
From Fried Chicken to Coaching Athletes
It reminded me of my days as a coach. In many ways, coaching athletes is similar: it's about guiding someone through a process they don't fully understand yet. Whether it was strength training, game strategy, or even mindset, my job was to correct, instruct, and get them to a place they didn’t know how to reach on their own.
And just like my coworkers at the restaurant, my athletes trusted that I had their best interests in mind. They knew I wasn’t correcting them to point out their faults but to help them get better. That trust—the kind that says, “I know you want me to succeed”—is what makes discipline effective. When athletes accepted my guidance, they grew stronger, faster, and smarter. The same way I (eventually) learned how to bread a chicken sandwich without looking like I’d rolled through a flour factory.
When Teaching Goes Wrong: My Waiter Days
Of course, not every learning experience is positive. Between my coaching career and my first day as a flour factory, I worked as a waiter. I was eager to learn, ready to put in the work, and humble enough to know I needed help. But the people training me didn’t care about the job, the restaurant, or whether I succeeded. They showed me the basics but weren’t invested in my growth, and that made all the difference. No matter how willing I was to learn, if the teacher wasn’t willing to invest in me, the whole thing fell apart.
The lesson here? Effective learning environments aren’t just about the student’s willingness to learn; they’re about the teacher’s investment in the learner. Whether you’re coaching athletes, training a new employee, or simply teaching someone a new skill, care and correction are essential.
Discipline and Correction: A Divine Parallel
This leads me back to Proverbs 3:11-12:
"My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."
Just like my athletes trusted me, and I trusted my coworkers at the chicken restaurant, Proverbs reminds us that God’s discipline is a reflection of His love. He corrects us not because He enjoys pointing out our mistakes, but because He knows that growth comes through discipline. And, as the ultimate teacher, His guidance always has our best interests at heart.
The same way I found grace in making chicken sandwiches, we can all find grace in the way God corrects us. We might not always like it, and we might get it wrong a few times before we get it right, but God is invested in our success. His discipline is always meant to make us better, not to tear us down.
The willingness to accept correction is essential—whether you’re an athlete, a fast-food trainee, or someone walking through life. And how much more does God care for us, teaching us new things through gentle correction, guiding us toward what’s best for us?