Dave was a high school dropout at the age of 15. Growing up, his life was anything but ideal. He was adopted as a baby but at the age of 5, his adoptive mother died, leaving him with his adoptive father. His dad had a bit of nomad spirit and moved with Dave over 12 times in 10 years. Dave had difficulty fitting in or feeling like he belonged.
Dave’s life lacked basic necessities. Even in his adult life, he didn’t want anyone to see his feet because they were deformed and misshapen due to years of inadequate footwear.
When he dropped out of school, he also left home, living at the YMCA for a time until he could enlist in the Army. While he waited, he continued working in the restaurant business, something he had done since he was 12. Once he got into the Army, he became a staff sergeant and was in charge of feeding 2,000 soldiers.
After the Army, Dave started back in restaurant work. Even at a young age, his ability as a restauranteur was gaining him a reputation, so much so that the famous Col. Harland Sanders sought his advice. Dave led Sanders to rebrand and streamline his menu to feature one single item. Kentucky Fried Chicken was born! Dave worked for Sanders until 1968, becoming a regional director.
While this success was enviable for most, Dave wanted more. He sold his shares of KFC for $1.5 million and decided to open his own restaurant. Having been hungry for so many days of his upbringing, Dave wanted his own restaurant so that he could always eat for free and never be hungry again. With these simple ambitions, Dave opened his first restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, on November 15, 1969. Today, there are nearly 6,000 restaurants in the chain. The restaurant chain is Wendy’s and it was all started by Dave Thomas.
On this day in 1993, Dave Thomas did something that was unnecessary for his thriving business but important because he wanted to be a good example. At the age of 60, Thomas graduated high school. He went back to school at Coconut Creek High School in Florida and earned his GED. His “senior” class voted him “Most Likely To Succeed” and even elected Thomas and his wife as that year’s prom king and queen.
Why would Thomas do this when his businesses were thriving, and he was worth over $250 million (over $430 million today)? He wanted to be a good example, and he didn’t want to be a dropout success story. Thomas would be asked to speak to students all across the United States, sharing his story of success. How could he encourage these kids to stay in school and get an education when he was a dropout? To make sure he wasn’t sending a mixed message, Thomas dropped back in to school. He said this was his proudest achievement.
People watch our lives very closely to see if our walk matches our talk. Like Thomas, we must be sure that we aren’t sending confusing signals to others. The Apostle Paul had this same concern. Just read what he wrote!
2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
Paul wanted to be an effective witness. If he had told people to do something he was unwilling to do, his ministry would have been ruined.
The same is true for us. We must be good examples. The “example” does it first. They are consistent in what they say and do. Today, let’s examine ourselves and ask if we would be willing to tell others what Paul told them in Philippians 3:17.
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
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