Devon in Dakota, MN (04/15/2024)

We decided to do a quiet, easy supper of chicken tenders and mac and cheese from our local Kwik Trip. We could order it, get 20 cents off 30 gallons of gas, and eat without pots and pans to clean. So, we got on my husband’s cell phone, ordered our two choices, paid for them, and hit the final transaction button. My husband grabbed his jacket and his phone to go fetch dinner. That’s when he said in quite an incredulous voice, “It says our meal is at the Kwik Trip in Dakota, MN.”

I grabbed his phone, looked for myself, not that I didn’t believe him, I think I was looking for clues as to how that happened beyond that fact that two 70+ customers were using the app. Sure enough, our meal was currently being prepared in Dakota, MN. I immediately used my cell phone to call the store (the number was listed on the order). I got Devon, bless his heart.

I explained what we’d done, how we’d ordered dinner somehow from a Kwik trip in another state 165 miles away. I know the store. We’ve stopped there on our way to Sioux City. Somehow, it was among the stores we’d frequented and was populating possible sites for pick up. I explained to Devon that we needed to cancel the order. Devon found the order, but then he explained that he didn’t know how to cancel it.

He spoke to everyone on duty, as quickly as he could, time was an issue. No one on duty knew how to cancel an “order ahead” order. So, he phoned headquarters. Luckily, we weren’t the first to make such an error. Headquarters cancelled the order and refunded our money. We thanked Devon for his patience and perseverance for us.

We waited a few minutes before we placed the order again, making sure we knew where we were and where we were ordering from before we pushed the final button. Dinner was delicious and there were no pans to wash.

As I reflected on the day, I first gave thanks for Devon and his kindness and perseverance on our behalf. And then I took some time to think about how easily things can go awry in our world, not from malice, sometimes from lack of attention to details. We can find ourselves headed to Dakota, MN if we aren’t careful. Next time I drive through Dakota, I should stop and say hi to Devon.

“Pay attention, Kate!” I heard in my head and in my heart. The journey matters. “Pay attention.” The destination matters, “Pay attention.”

As we continue on our journey, let us stay focused on what really matters in our lives: love of the LORD and love for one another as well as ourselves. Let us daily focus on the teachings and examples of our loving Savior as we attempt to follow in His footsteps. Let us never hesitate to ask for help if we find ourselves headed in a direction we don’t want to go. Heaven knows we need help. Heaven’s ready to respond.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.