May 22nd, 2024
by Jonathan Richerson
by Jonathan Richerson
Summertime in Middle Tennessee means hot weather and cold drinks. I love the gas station fountain drink wars that happen about this time each year. For less than a dollar you can have just about any type of soda, with any number of mix-ins. And when you are in the mood for a little fast food to go with your drink, the McDonald’s app is the way to go. Summer marks the return of the one dollar, any size soda deal at McDonalds. There is just something about the way McD’s drinks taste. They are crisper, more flavorful, and for a dollar, you can’t beat them. It’s not really summer until you see that offer. Well, if that is how we gauge summer, the fun might not come this year, or ever again. According to reports, McDonald's is eliminating self-serve beverage stations from its U.S. fast-food restaurants, and some locations may soon begin charging for refills. You might have heard whispers of this last year. The restaurant is planning to take away all self-service machines by 2032. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonalds-plans-transition-away-self-023822727.html The company says that it will be up to individual locations to continue offering free refills. They also say that this move is an attempt to “foster a consistent experience across all methods of ordering − delivery, mobile, kiosk, drive-thru or dine-in.”
You might imagine the response online to this announcement. People are not happy. This news comes only a few days behind the announcement to drop the “smiles” from Happy Meal boxes in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week, even dropping happy from the name of the meal. It is simply called "The Meal" on the restaurant's menu. https://popculture.com/trending/news/why-mcdonalds-removed-smiles-happy-meal-boxes/ With all these changes, the place that was once known for “turning the frown upside down,” might have its work cut out for it this summer.
I cannot help but make this comparison: Unlimited refills for a dollar still will not quench your thirst forever. We love the summer promotions, but we always get thirsty again. The restaurants know this, so they bait us in with cheap prices only to switch on us when they know they have us hooked. People will continue to go to Micky D’s, even if it is just to complain to the person behind the counter who really doesn’t care what you have to say. But there is One who does care, knows our real need, and addresses it Scripture.
In John 4 Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. When He asks her for a drink she pushes back, but enters into a dialogue that leads to a need we all have, Living Water! In verse 13-14 Jesus replies, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Never thirst again! Not even McDonalds can offer that on their app! On these hot summer days that are to come, think about the real thirst all of us have; to know that we are eternally secure with our Lord and Savior! If only, like this Samaritan woman, we take Jesus up on His offer, we will have that refreshing contentment that everyone seeks to experience.
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
You might imagine the response online to this announcement. People are not happy. This news comes only a few days behind the announcement to drop the “smiles” from Happy Meal boxes in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week, even dropping happy from the name of the meal. It is simply called "The Meal" on the restaurant's menu. https://popculture.com/trending/news/why-mcdonalds-removed-smiles-happy-meal-boxes/ With all these changes, the place that was once known for “turning the frown upside down,” might have its work cut out for it this summer.
I cannot help but make this comparison: Unlimited refills for a dollar still will not quench your thirst forever. We love the summer promotions, but we always get thirsty again. The restaurants know this, so they bait us in with cheap prices only to switch on us when they know they have us hooked. People will continue to go to Micky D’s, even if it is just to complain to the person behind the counter who really doesn’t care what you have to say. But there is One who does care, knows our real need, and addresses it Scripture.
In John 4 Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. When He asks her for a drink she pushes back, but enters into a dialogue that leads to a need we all have, Living Water! In verse 13-14 Jesus replies, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Never thirst again! Not even McDonalds can offer that on their app! On these hot summer days that are to come, think about the real thirst all of us have; to know that we are eternally secure with our Lord and Savior! If only, like this Samaritan woman, we take Jesus up on His offer, we will have that refreshing contentment that everyone seeks to experience.
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
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