I used to work for Star Bucks coffee. One of my favorite places to work was the drive-thru window. There was just something about talking on the speakers outside and watching customers make funny faces at me, not knowing that there was a small camera on the order sign; so I could see every goofy smile, scrunched up face, and occasional finger.

I remember one Saturday afternoon, as I was bending out the window handing a man his venti, quad-shot, half sugar-free-vanilla half sugar-free-hazelnut, six splenda, extra hot, non-fat, no foam latte-with a sprinkle of cinnamon- served in a double cup plus hot sleeve, he said, "I want to buy the drink of whoever is behind me. Is that do-able?"

I looked at the car behind and and for some reason the first thing that came out of my mouth was, "Why?"

"I want to show them the love of Jesus in a practical way." he said. "Is it do-able?"

"Yeah, sure." I pushed the button that brought the other car's order you and told him the price. As he paid for it, he also handed me a small card that read: Have a wonderful day! Jesus loves you and thought you needed a drink on me."

Wow, is all that came to mind. What an amazing way to share the good news of Jesus, than by doing something so simple, yet powerful. The people in the other car were taken back and excited about it. They wanted to know who he was, why he did it, if I knew him, was he from here in town? I just handed them the card, and they were so blessed.

Since then I witnessed that act of kindness several times. One coffee shop in California reported that they experienced the phenomenon for over four hours as each person, who had been paid for, paid for the person behind them. It was so impacting that in the fall of 2005, Starbucks capitalized on the concept with a campaign. They handed out little cards encouraging people to participate in this act of kindness.

This is an amazing phenomenon to witness and even more amazing to be apart of.

Christian Radio Station, Way FM, which plays in several states, and can be heard online, is challenging people to 'BE the Drive Thru Difference'. This is the same concept, but they have taken it to a brand new level.

According to the Way FM website,

"The concept is simple. Some weekday morning, afternoon, or even a lazy Saturday print a Drive Thru Difference note (see below), then drive to the fast food or coffee place you like to frequent... place your order... then, when you get to the drive thru window, kindly tell the cashier/window worker that you'd like to bless the person in the car behind you. At that point you pay for both orders and hand the worker the note you printed from this site. They will give it to the person who's meal you paid for."

Any place that has a drive-thru is an opportunity to reach out and share the love of Jesus in a real practical way.

Christians ask, all the time, how can I be a light? How can I share the love of Jesus with strangers when I am not comfortable just starting a conversation? Well this is a perfect opportunity. You bless the person taking your order, reaffirming to them that there are still Christians out there that genuinely want to make a change, and you bless the person that you are buying the meal for.

According to Way FM, "It's all about creating community and pointing others towards Jesus Christ in even the simplest of ways."

Another radio station, 89.5 FM, of Boise Idaho, says concerning the drive thur blessing, "sometimes a small thing can start a chain of events leading to a miracle." In fact hundreds of Christian music stations and Churches across the nation are involved and encouraging Christians to Be the Drive Thru Difference

Print the Drive Thru Difference Note, and let's start sharing the love of Jesus in a practical way. The note below is Way FM's official note, look for your local station or church to see if they have a version of the note. Or feel free to take the note and make your own.

More information:
Way FM website
Drive Thru Difference Note

Watch this example of Houston's very own Christian music artist, Brandon Heath, as he shows you how to BE a Dive Thur Difference.