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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"New Management Can Be A Good Thing"
September 1, 2010
I almost turned around and left. The sign on the door said "Under New
Management." I don't know what happened but I didn't like it. I've been
going to Joy's Kitchen on West Thames Street, off and on, for several
years. They serve a great breakfast. There is always a big crowd. I couldn't
understand why anything had to change.
As I entered the restaurant everything looked pretty much the same except
for the fact that there was a new waitress. She came over and greeted me
with a smile. She gave me the same menu I was used to and poured me a
cup of coffee in the same brown mug they've been using there for years.
I heard someone ask about the new management. The waitress said, "The
new owners took over last Wednesday. We've got the same cook, the same
menu and a few of the same waitresses but it's going to be even better. We
have more specials and we are open later every day." I like that kind of
change. Cheap prices always appeal to my good nature.
As I sat there I began to think about the changes that happen around us
every day. Nothing stays the same. I remember going to Mr. Bigs as a kid. I
loved that store. I also loved Campbell's Sporting Good's too. It was the
only place around where you could buy Estes Rockets. For lunch there was
no better place to go than Bee Bee Dairy. Every Sunday after church we'd
go and I'd get the BeeBee furter. They are all gone now.
Very few of us like change. Yet sometimes change opens the door for a
fresh start. I know so many people who are stuck in a rut. They keep
repeating the same self destructive behavior. Their lives are a mess. They
don't know where to turn. They need a new beginning.
Last Sunday we had a beautiful service at church. Three people came
forward and professed their love of God in the act of believer's baptism. In
effect they were saying "We are now under new management! Jesus is the
Lord of our lives now."
The funny thing about this kind of change is that God doesn't demand that
you change who you are. You don't have to become a Billy Graham or
Mother Theresa to follow him. He simply invites us to change some of the
things we are doing. He shows us a better way. His way is filled with grace
and forgiveness. He invites us to live with humility and love as the guiding
forces in all we do.
If you could have seen the looks on Jamie, Ingrid and Jesly's faces on
Sunday, you would know that this is the kind of change that makes a heart
glad. For me, that's even better than a $2.99 breakfast special.
God bless. See you in church. Cal.
September 1, 2010
I almost turned around and left. The sign on the door said "Under New
Management." I don't know what happened but I didn't like it. I've been
going to Joy's Kitchen on West Thames Street, off and on, for several
years. They serve a great breakfast. There is always a big crowd. I couldn't
understand why anything had to change.
As I entered the restaurant everything looked pretty much the same except
for the fact that there was a new waitress. She came over and greeted me
with a smile. She gave me the same menu I was used to and poured me a
cup of coffee in the same brown mug they've been using there for years.
I heard someone ask about the new management. The waitress said, "The
new owners took over last Wednesday. We've got the same cook, the same
menu and a few of the same waitresses but it's going to be even better. We
have more specials and we are open later every day." I like that kind of
change. Cheap prices always appeal to my good nature.
As I sat there I began to think about the changes that happen around us
every day. Nothing stays the same. I remember going to Mr. Bigs as a kid. I
loved that store. I also loved Campbell's Sporting Good's too. It was the
only place around where you could buy Estes Rockets. For lunch there was
no better place to go than Bee Bee Dairy. Every Sunday after church we'd
go and I'd get the BeeBee furter. They are all gone now.
Very few of us like change. Yet sometimes change opens the door for a
fresh start. I know so many people who are stuck in a rut. They keep
repeating the same self destructive behavior. Their lives are a mess. They
don't know where to turn. They need a new beginning.
Last Sunday we had a beautiful service at church. Three people came
forward and professed their love of God in the act of believer's baptism. In
effect they were saying "We are now under new management! Jesus is the
Lord of our lives now."
The funny thing about this kind of change is that God doesn't demand that
you change who you are. You don't have to become a Billy Graham or
Mother Theresa to follow him. He simply invites us to change some of the
things we are doing. He shows us a better way. His way is filled with grace
and forgiveness. He invites us to live with humility and love as the guiding
forces in all we do.
If you could have seen the looks on Jamie, Ingrid and Jesly's faces on
Sunday, you would know that this is the kind of change that makes a heart
glad. For me, that's even better than a $2.99 breakfast special.
God bless. See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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