Lessons I'm learning

We went to church this weekend, as we typically try to do.  Oh, sure, from time to time, we make excuses that we're too tired, have worked too hard, etc., etc.  But the truth is, we always enjoy going, and always feel better after we've been.  This Sunday was no different.

Pastor Dennis gave a wonderful, highly energized lesson on a very simple verse in Thessalonians, Chapter 5, verse 17.  It says "Pray without ceasing."  That's all.  "Pray without ceasing".  As is usually the case, Dennis' message made me think about my life, my journey, and where I have been, as well as where I am going.

I often pray.  But, until Sunday, it was something that I did, then stopped doing.  It was like a 30-second conversation with God, usually asking him for something for myself or my loved ones.  Dennis reminded us that prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue, and that makes all the difference in the world.  I not only have to speak to God, I have to wait to hear his response, regardless of how long that response takes.

I often worry about many things.  My business, my family members, my associates, our financial ability to continue day in and day out, and what will happen tomorrow.  Sometimes these worries make the enjoyment of every moment harder to appreciate.

But, I think I think I know, that if you're in constant prayer with God, the worries ease off.  Faith should allow me to let God handle some of my worries--I don't have to shoulder them all by myself.  It allows me to free myself from some of the angers I have felt, the pressures I have felt, and just relax a little bit more.

I can actually enjoy my life so much better right now, which is a true amazement.  Business is still such a "hit and miss" thing, mostly "miss" this time of year.  I always feel I try to have us prepared for the worst, and then I am shown how little I know.  I should be more tense, more angry than usual, but instead, I feel a peace that is all around me.  I still get a little upset, but I am working very hard to eliminate anger from my life.

I don't know if I got Dennis' message right at all, but I know it touched me, and made me try even harder to stay in constant contact with God.  I hope this finds you miles ahead of my "evolution" and that you are in true peace.  I am finding that I can more easily find the good in people, as long as I continue to look for it.   I still am a work in progress, and know I will have potholes along the way.  But if I stay in touch with God, He'll help me through those as well.

This one might make you cry!!

I know I always come across like I'm the Chamber of Commerce for Branson.  I've always thought this place had something magic about it--it makes people want to be better than they are, just to keep up.  And the things that have happened at The Gardens have been amazing as well, but today's events may just take the cake.

Long story short, our pastor Dennis and wife Marcia sent us the most wonderful employee, Jonathon, who has been a joy to us every day he has come in to work for us.  He has a tremendous spirit, and always wants to help everyone, and be the best he can be.  A great, great employee.

Anyway, Jonathon and Jamie have been trying to get engaged for months, and have had one roadblock after another.  Finally, Jonathon got the blessing from Jamie's family to proceed, and everything looked terrific at last.  He had even come up with a wonderful ring to give Jamie--and then, another roadblock came.  Jamie wears a size 7 ring, and this one was a size 5, and couldn't be adjusted to fit Jamie's finger.

Now, the amazing part kicks in.  Rachel (Pastor Dennis and Marcia's daughter), came to the restaurant today with a friend, Vanessa, who had never been in before.  Since Jonathon helps teach a Sunday school class at the church, he went over to say hello to Rachel.  She must have asked him about his engagement, because he told her about the problem with the ring.

Then, God stepped in, in the person of Vanessa.  She told Jonathon that she had been married for over 2 1/2 years, and had a wedding ring that she never wore.  Instead, she has always worn an heirloom ring from her grandmother.  She and her husband had prayed about what to do with this ring for the entire time, and had no clue what the answer was.

When she heard Jonathon's story about his ring, she immediately gave Jonathon hers.  It is a beautiful ring, size 7.  Perfect!  A total stranger making such a gift--amazing.  I went out to talk to her, thank for for Jonathon and Jamie and ask her if she was sure she wanted to do this.  She said she was just following God's voice and doing what she was supposed to do, what she had been praying about for over two years.

Maybe this is a common occurence in your life, but it certainly affected our lives today!!  Thank you Vanessa, thank you Rachel, thank you Dennis and Marcia, and thank you God, for giving Vanessa such a powerful message!!