“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”~ Sir Winston Churchill

My car radio is permanently tuned to a particular Christian radio station, WGTS 91.9 FM and it was on this station I heard of the drive-thru difference many years ago. The drive-thru difference is when you pay for the order of the person behind you every Thursday. Now, you can do this on any day you choose but this radio station promotes it on Thursdays and has notes on their website which you can print out and give to the cashier to give to the person behind you. It’s a simple note that states the person in front of you paid for your order and hopes you pass this act of random kindness on. This could be anywhere you find yourself in a queue. For example at the grocery store, fast-food restaurants, beauty supply stores, home goods stores etc. The aim of the drive-thru difference is to put a smile on a random person’s face.

As someone who has lived in the DMV area for over sixteen (16) years, I can personally testify to the difference this simple and random act brings into my life. I have participated in the drive-thru difference on various days of the week, not just on Thursdays. If you live in the DMV environ, you know how stressful the area is. Driving to DC from Maryland or Virginia before and after work is no fun especially due to the heavy traffic and drivers who don’t know how to drive. After participating in the drive-thru difference, I always feel really excited because I put a smile on a stranger’s face who can’t thank me. The first time I participated in the drive-thru difference, I was a little nervous. I handed the cashier the note and stated I was paying for the car behind me. The cashier was surprised and complimented me on this. Over time, I’ve now become a pro at the drive-thru experience. I always have the notes printed out in my car, that way I’m always prepared to perform an act of random kindness.

WGTS 91.9 FM gives callers the opportunity to speak either about paying for the order of the person behind or being on the receiving end of the drive-thru difference. One Thursday a caller spoke of her drive-thru difference experience. She said she went to a Chick-Fil-A restaurant and paid for the car behind her. The next day, she went back to the same Chick-Fil-A and the cashier excitedly told her she started a chain reaction because after she left the next forty-two (42) cars continued the drive-thru difference. I was amazed at how one person’s random act of kindness could cause such a ripple effect in the lives of different individuals.  A young fellow also called in and stated he was at a drive-thru and when he got to the window to pay, he discovered he did not have his wallet but fortunately for him, the person ahead of him paid for his order. He was so thankful and happy and was able to call the radio station because of the note the cashier gave to him.

If you have never tried the drive-thru difference here’s my suggestion-; give it a try. All you need do is pay for the order of the person behind you and if you don’t have a note just tell the cashier to say “someone out there wants to put a smile on your face and Jesus loves you.” Give the drive-thru difference a try. You might just start a ripple effect of an act of random kindness that will touch lives for a very long time and give you satisfaction and fulfillment about doing good in the life of a complete stranger. See you at the drive-thru!!!