Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and

Host: The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light through the café window. The air outside was still, the kind of calm that comes before a storm, and inside, the soft clinking of cups and quiet murmurs of conversation filled the space. Jack sat at the table near the window, his gaze fixed on the street outside, while Jeeny, with a small cup of tea in front of her, turned over a thought in her mind.

Her fingers lightly traced the rim of the cup as she watched Jack, waiting for the right moment to speak.

Jeeny: “I read something today that really made me stop and think. S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, once said, ‘Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and of directing our attention to things that mattered more than our business.’ Do you think that’s still a decision businesses should make today?”

Jack: He didn’t immediately answer. His eyes were still on the street outside, but there was a flicker in his gaze. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his tone measured, almost neutral. “Closing for religious reasons, huh? It sounds nice in theory—honoring God, focusing on what really matters. But in the world we live in, that kind of decision seems a little outdated, doesn’t it? Businesses today are driven by competition. There’s no room for taking a day off if you’re trying to stay ahead.”

Host: The rain had begun to fall lightly, creating a steady rhythm against the window. The sound of it seemed to soften the air in the room, turning the conversation into something more reflective. Jeeny’s voice broke through the stillness, quiet but determined.

Jeeny: “But isn’t that the point? What if stepping away from the business, even just for one day, is what allows you to focus on the things that truly matter? Family, faith, your community. We get so caught up in the drive for success, Jack, that we forget there’s more to life than just profits and productivity. Sunday, for Cathy, wasn’t just a day off—it was a reminder to recenter.”

Jack: His lips tightened, a small sigh escaping as he glanced at her. “Yeah, but what happens when you take that day off and your competitors don’t? Customers expect availability, convenience. The world keeps moving, even if you don’t. Can you really afford to step away for a day, especially when the whole business is built around meeting demand?”

Host: The café grew quieter, the world outside fading into the distance as the conversation between Jack and Jeeny took center stage. The tension was palpable, Jack’s skepticism against Jeeny’s belief in balance. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes steady, full of conviction.

Jeeny: “Maybe that’s the problem, Jack. We’re so caught up in meeting demand that we forget we’re part of something bigger. Cathy understood that, I think. By closing on Sundays, he was making a statement—reminding himself, his employees, and his customers that life doesn’t revolve around work. That there’s something more important than just business. It’s about creating space for the things that truly matter. A break isn’t a loss; it’s an opportunity.”

Jack: He snorted softly, the sound bitter. “I get what you’re saying, Jeeny. But in today’s world, people don’t want to pause. They want everything now. Everything fast. Businesses can’t afford to be slow—there’s a real cost to that. People move on if you’re not there when they need you.”

Host: The rain intensified, its tapping against the window now a steady beat. Jeeny’s expression remained calm, but there was an undeniable intensity in her gaze as she looked at Jack.

Jeeny: “But maybe that’s the problem. We’re chasing a world that’s always in motion, never stopping to ask if we’re chasing the right things. Cathy’s decision wasn’t about the bottom line—it was about prioritizing what was truly important. How can we say we’re doing well in life if we’re constantly running without ever stopping to see what we’re really running toward? Sometimes, taking that step back can reshape everything.”

Jack: He paused, his eyes softening, though the edge in his voice remained. “I don’t disagree with you, Jeeny. But not everyone can afford to slow down. Life is competitive, fast-paced, and harsh. People who take a break are left behind. You can’t afford to be left behind when everything is moving this quickly.”

Jeeny: “I think you can, Jack. It’s not about staying behind, it’s about finding balance. If everything is always about the grind, then what are you working for? What’s the point if it’s just an endless race to the finish line without ever appreciating the moments in between?”

Host: The café felt almost still now, as if the rain itself was waiting for the next word to fall. Jack, normally so firm in his convictions, seemed to be considering something deeper than the usual calculations he made in the name of success. The weight of Jeeny’s words wasn’t easily dismissed.

Jack: “I get what you’re saying, I do. Maybe I’ve been too focused on what the world expects, too caught up in the need to keep up. But it’s hard to believe that stepping back, even for just one day, can really change the game.”

Jeeny: Her voice softened, but it was still filled with understanding. “It’s not about changing the game, Jack. It’s about changing how you play it. When you take time to reflect on what really matters, you’re not losing ground. You’re recharging—and that makes you more capable when you return. If you’re always pushing, eventually you’ll burn out.”

Host: The rain had slowed now, and the world outside seemed to open up again. Jack’s eyes met Jeeny’s, the tension of their conversation shifting into something else—an understanding, perhaps, or at least the recognition of a different way of thinking.

Jack: “I still don’t know if I could do it, Jeeny. To close down, to step away. But maybe there’s something to it. Maybe it’s worth considering that there’s more to life than just keeping pace.”

Jeeny: She smiled, the gentleness of it a quiet triumph. “Sometimes, Jack, we need to stop chasing the clock. Just take a step back, reflect, and remember that there’s a bigger picture than the work in front of us.”

Host: As the rain eased completely, the sky outside cleared. The world beyond the café returned to its busy rhythm, but inside, Jack and Jeeny sat in a moment of shared clarity—understanding that sometimes, true success lies not in the work we do, but in how we make space to honor the things that truly matter.