Missed Opportunities

I was rushing around getting things done that I had put off because of doing other things that I had to first get done.  That seems to be my life much of the time.

I was doing good things – things that were for other people, but nonetheless – I was rushing.

My heart dropped into my stomach as I topped the small incline looking ahead to the flashing blue lights just down the road.  From where I was, it looked as though there had been a wreck in front of our church.  I feared that someone, perhaps someone I knew well, had been injured.  As I drew closer, I realized that the wreck was in front of another local business and my anxiety lessened.  I drove slowly through the wreckage and carefully skimmed the site looking for signs of anyone that I might know.  Honestly, I was a little relieved to not recognize anyone.  There was a car that was very damaged, but I didn’t see or hear an ambulance.  I made my way passed the girl who was stationed to stop on-coming traffic and continued on down the road and turned into our church parking lot. 

I went about my business.  I waited for our gym-type lights to come on and then searched for the books I was hoping to find in the missions cabinet.  I knew that the traffic would be backed up, so I took the opportunity to look for a couple of other items that I knew I would need.  After waiting a while, I walked back to the door.

The flagging girl was still standing in the hot sun, shading her eyes and the traffic was backed up so that I could not see the last car in Moorefield.  I went back and checked my phone – FaceBook, email, and in-coming calls.  I posted on FaceBook to let everyone know I was stuck at the church.  It was a funny little post that should draw a chuckle from a few of my friends.

I went back to the door and decided to raid the kitchen.  I found a nice little bottled water and a snack bar.  I walked back to the door, observed the traffic and the same blond pony tailed young lady, who was holding that traffic at bay.

I considered my options and decided that I could turn right and go all around the back way and come out on a main road.  I could probably be home quicker than by waiting it out.  I took a long drink of my bottled water and gathered my books, keys and phone and headed out.  I locked the door behind me and got into my car. 

Then it hit me like a lead balloon – the same girl was standing her guard in the hot sun, shading her eyes and I was sitting in my air-conditioned car sipping on a cool drink of water.  I went back into the church and found some water – which was not really cool and quickly checked the fridge.  There were some ice cold Dr. Peppers, looking all cool and inviting.  I chose one of each – a water and a Dr. Pepper. 

When I went back to my car, a policeman was stopped talking to her.  I thought, “Ah, too late.”  She ran to her vehicle and got in.  I still sat and observed.  She pulled it side-ways into the road and then got back out.  She was going back to her post.  I pulled my car to the edge of the road and got out with water and DP in hand.  I walked toward her and she saw me.  She stopped an on-coming car and walked to meet me.  I didn’t know it, but I had gold in my hand!  She was so overwhelmingly grateful.  I said, “You are so welcome, “ and returned to my car. 

I turned the other direction and began my long-way-around journey.  My thought was, “Almost a missed opportunity…”.  That began my conversation with God.  “Yes, almost – but, thank God I thought of going back in to get water for that poor girl who was serving my community so selflessly.  She was so grateful.”  “I am glad you were so thoughtful and took action…but look – you are just now passing policemen who are in the same situation.  I bet they would have liked a “cool drink of water, in My Name.”  And He went on – “The traffic has been stopped for quite some time.  There was enough water that you might could have offered some of the folks just sitting there waiting a bottle.”  “Oh, yea, I guess so.  But really, I might have been in the way, too…”  So many people, so many needs.

In a quick moment I found myself asking God to open my eyes and my ears to the needs of people around me.  We are often so busy doing good things that we miss what is right in front of us.  Instead of being bored and shutting the world out, I could have observed and served.  Perhaps I could have just stayed a little while longer, gotten out from behind locked doors – offered our bathroom facilities, turned up the air…instead I drove away and realized that though I had a small moment of serving, my afternoon had also included some missed opportunities.

Perspectives Testimony

I went to a College gathering a few years ago and passed by a friend who was sitting behind a table signing up students.  I stopped to say hello, and my life was changed in that moment.

I listened as she explained the “missions” class that she was promoting and discovered that it was open to everyone, no matter their age.

I knew my own daughter would be leaving on a two-year assignment overseas very soon and was feeling a little overwhelmed.  I saw this class as my opportunity to understand her heart more and decided to check into it.  I took a pamphlet.

As I registered for Perspectives On the World Christian Movement, I realized that I would have to drive to Little Rock for this three-hour college level course, which was being offered in a church that spring.  It was actually more costly than I wanted but God was prompting me to keep pursuing it.  I couldn’t find anyone else who would take it with me.  Finally, I knew that I couldn’t say no, and found myself registering and writing my check.

This course has impacted my decisions and the direction of my spiritual life more than any other opportunity for Christian growth.  The main thing that I learned at 47 years old was that He is God and I am not.  That may seem odd, but it definitely changed the questions I ask, the way I pray, and the priorities that I choose.  My life is in His hands and my “yes” is on the table.  

Because I took this course, I not only understood my own daughter’s role in reaching the nations for Christ, but I understood my own role in reaching the nations.  Because I took this course I then found the need to be a part of offering it to others in our small town.  I became a Perspectives Coordinator and helped facilitate it for four years following.  Because I took this course I fell in love with the mandate to plant churches and my husband and I planted a church.  Because I took this course, I now love people more, want to be a disciple who makes disciples, want to pursue a stronger relationship with my Savior, and want my legacy to be one of imparting Christ to others.

I don’t know if my testimony of how my life changed means anything to anyone else, but I love my life and look forward to each day serving Jesus. 

I encourage you to pray about whether you should also take the course.  That is the only criteria – does He want you to?  If so, is now the time? 

Come On In To The Triangle, Y'all!

On a recent visit to Niagara Falls, Canada, we ate at a Perkins Restaurant for breakfast.  As our delicious meal was delivered, a friend who was along commented on his plate.  "This $16 breakfast is a $3.75 Breakfast Special at The Triangle in Batesville, " he noted.  It was really very good and a great start to our day.

As I awakened from my sleep on our first morning home, I remembered our comparison and became hungry.  It didn't take arm twisting to convince Mickey to go out for breakfast at our local dive which is infamous in its own little way in Batesville.

We were greeted with a familiar, "Hey, y'all" as we entered and found our own seat while waitresses buzzed around and quickly we had coffee sitting in front of us in one of their new Triangle cups.  The local ads wrapped around the outside of the cup, reminded me of the undeniable familiarity of the establishment to our small town.

I picked up the triangle shaped menu which was sitting between the salt and pepper stand and the stacked jelly packets which were next to the tin filled with butter and cream.  Our cute blonde waitress whisked by asking if we were ready to order while she warmed someone else's coffee.  She smiled a sweet southern smile and her words were as thick as the butter and syrup that would come on a thick battered pancake.

After we ordered, I looked around and took in the charm of this quaint little restaurant that sits on a triangular shaped piece of land at the top of the mountain just south of the White River at Batesville.  One of the charms of The Triangle is the characters who share the small dining room.  To my right was the coveted round table - a gathering place for mostly men, who have stopped by for a cup of coffee, sausage and eggs and the works and a little jawing before a hard days work.  To my left was an elderly couple who were silently eating a quiet breakfast of hardy oatmeal and toast.  Closer to the front was a young couple, bearing tattoos and nose rings, each on their phone and drinking a tall glass of orange juice waiting for their waffles and bacon.  Everyone looked content and relaxed and didn't really notice one another.  Once in a while, someone would come in and a table or two would wave or laugh and greet an old friend who was often seen early mornings at this little cafe.  It is a friendly and warm place to be.

The ceilings are corrugated tin and the lights are dim.  There are some ceiling fans for warmer days and bamboo shades that cover the big sunny windows.  The tables and chairs are simple and the decor is rustic.  The floors are old grey concrete - not like the trendy stained kind that you see in industrial design, but the original practical concrete, and so no one minds a little mud on your boots.  The place is clean though.  The waitresses are constantly moving.  When they aren't serving customers, they are wiping and cleaning.

Customers have a clear view of the kitchen area, right past the little home-made sign that says, "Picnic Tables in Back".  Now, I've never seen anyone sitting out there in the sweltering summer sun and 90% humidity, but it is good to know they are there.  Somehow locals just seem to know how to space themselves perfectly so that everyone gets a seat with no waiting, however every seat is almost always full.

At one time The Triangle was known for the thick smoke that would hover over the tables in the air.  The cooks, waitresses and customers all enjoyed a good smoke, in that day.  When Arkansas made a new law forbidding smoking in restaurants, everyone wondered what would happen to The Triangle.  Most folks thought it wouldn't stay open.  But the cooks began taking smoke breaks and the customers complied and people like me began to make breakfast or lunch a weekly ritual - and for some, even more often.

As was said earlier, you can get a two egg, sausage or bacon and biscuit and gravy (white or chocolate) breakfast special for $3.75 daily.  You can add a side of home-made hash brown potatoes for another $1.75.  Their biscuits are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  My grandson likes their big ol' pancake - one will do you.  It fills the whole dinner plate upon which it is served.  Their waffles are mouth watering and their oatmeal is made from scratch and served with brown sugar and raisins on the side.  The food is just excellent.

I am pretty sure that this little restaurant who just began accepting credit cards and debit cards in the past year, will be around for many to come.  I have wondered what Diners, Drive-In's and Dives from the Food Network would think of this place.  I'm not sure I would want anyone to challenge them to come here.  I don't want anything to change.  It is just fine the way it is.