It was the winter of 1991, and everything I owned was packed into my little car for the drive to Fort Worth, Texas. My seminary tuition was covered and I had a place to live, but that was it.
I soon found a part time job that paid $425 per month. However, my car payment was $144, my share of the rent was $118, and the cost of mandatory health insurance was $80 per month. That left $83 for everything else.
I lived on campus, so gassing up the car wasn’t a burden. But finding enough money for food was a challenge! I quickly learned to get creative with the meal budget. A bread store up the street sold off-date pastries for a steep discount. Breakfast covered. My mom agreed to put $50 a month into my account at the seminary cafeteria. Lunch covered. But what about supper?
A guy from the dormitory told me about this hole-in-the-wall barbeque place a few streets over. “Go to Carl’s,” he said. “Ask for the all-you-can-eat pancakes for $1.50.”
One Friday afternoon, near the end of the month, my rumbling stomach made me take my friend’s advice. I walked into the little restaurant with my head down. The air was thick with the smell of slow-smoked meat. “Pancakes at a barbeque joint? It’s gotta be a joke.”
But Carl’s son, who manned the grill, could spot a poor graduate student a mile away. “Hey preacher boy, want some pancakes?” I’m smiling now, head up, “Yes sir!”.
Kind reader, I had to stop typing for a moment–to wipe away the tears. I thank God for Carl Wilson, who served many a hungry seminarian all the pancakes they could eat– for $1.50.
I’ve tried to “pay it forward” ever since.
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
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Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
36 responses to “Paying it Forward with Pancakes”
Making the English teacher misty-eyed is an honor. ☺️
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I’m a little misty-eyed, too.
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❤️ Wise words indeed. Thanks for all the encouragement you share through your blog too. You are making a difference in so many people’s lives.
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Me too. My father, a math teacher, used to tell me: “Son, people either multiply, add, subtract, or divide in life. Try to stay away from the last two.”
Thank you for sharing. I am grateful for your blog ministry!
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I’m so grateful for all those who have “paid it forward” in my life, and not only financially!
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Thanks, Bruce. You sound like my older brother.😊 Well, I suppose you are.🇨🇦😀
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Not to worry, David. NO PRESSURE! Blessings!
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Blessings to you, as well, Bruce. I’m a little behind in my reading but have noticed your latest posts. I will catch up, brother! God Bless.
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Beautiful story and a great reminder to pay it forward, like you say. Thank you, David! Blessings!
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Thank you! That’s the beauty of doing something beyond ourselves—especially in Jesus’ name. I appreciate your kind words.
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Beautiful! And I’m sure someone, somewhere, now tells a similar story about kindnesses you’ve shown, as you’ve paid it forward.
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Thank you, Mandy! I hope you and Nathan have a wonderful Thanksgiving. God Bless.
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I love this post, David!!!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
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Thank you for your encouraging words, Manette Kay. My goal is to post every day this week—except Sunday. I need to practice being more thankful. God Bless!
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David, you’re paying it forward through your lessons shared here. You touch many hearts. God bless you.
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no discount only free lol
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I love it. That would a good deal, even in Oklahoma. Did they give you money back if it was below zero? 😊
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Thanks, Gary. It made a big impact on me. Carl was a Godsend to so many of us preacher boys. I sometimes wonder where he and his son are today.
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That so fits with who you are today David. Wonderful fun story with a profound effect for life.
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This reminded me of when I was a student living in Minneapolis the winter of 93/94/ The McDonalds there had a special for the month of December buy one quarter pounder or quarter pounder with cheese and get the second one for the price of what the temperature was the day before. It did not get above zero even during the day the whole month, so it was buy one get one free. As students, we went there every day. After that, I never wanted to eat burgers from McDonalds again lol
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It truly was comfort food—in the purest sense. Thank you for reading and commenting. Happy Thanksgiving, and God Bless.
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Thanks, Tammy! God Bless.
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I love your stories and your advice 😊
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You had me at all you can eat pancakes and then the rest of this beautiful post really got me!
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Yes, indeed, brother! God’s “angel agents” are everywhere. And sometimes He lets us join their ranks.
God Bless you, too, my brother!
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I am enjoying the posts! Haha! You can absolutely use hash tags if you want to! 😁
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What a lovely story David, it reminded me of a lovely old lady from Falkirk Salvation Army who looked after me and another brother in her home when we were visiting the town for outreach. Such service is precious indeed. God bless you today brother 🙏
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Yes sir. Thanks, BG!
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Always paying it forward!
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You’re welcome, Bridget. I’m stretching my “thankful muscles” by posting everyday this week. I think I’ll call it #fivedaysofthanksgiving.
Do middle-aged guys even use hashtags?☺️
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What a heartfelt story. God bless those who seek to help others as Carl did. And may we do the same, and pay it forward. Thank you for sharing this story with us!
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Sorry, Ken. I was just a kid when The Beach Boys were big. I knew about Bryan, but not Carl Wilson.
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Thanks, Betty. I don’t cry easily, but recalling this story brought on the tears. It’s been 30 years. I wonderful if the restaurant is still there? I’d like to stop by and put some $ in the tip jar. Have a blessed day!
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As I recall, Carl was retired U.S. Force, but I bet he likes The Beach Boys. Thanks, Ken.
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David, this is a beautiful story. There are so many “Carl Wilson’s” out there, we just don’t hear about them. Paying it forward is a wonderful way to honor him. Situations like yours in 1991 teach us compassion, and seeing the generosity of others inspires it in ourselves. Now, I’m hungry for pancakes!
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Nice story. Love pancakes esp. from my wife’s land of birth (Netherlands). But I guess the Beach boys weren’t making enough $ so Carl turned to serving in the restaurant yes? 😂
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