Pivot
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” – Isaiah 43:2
Dear Friends,
A funny thing happened on the way to the County Fair…
Well, not on the way, it happened at “The Best Food at the Fair Food Booth”
On Monday, I had the privilege of working at our Food Booth at the Washington County Fair. I was surrounded by CUPC Church Members and friends, led by Gary Lucas & Dan Dodd. Arriving before the Fair’s official open, there was some prep to be done, before I eventually ended up on the grill – firing up burgers, cheesesteaks, Italian hoagies and steak & chicken salads. It was good and steady through lunch, and it was nice to see familiar faces stop by and order – and comment (twice) – “that was the BEST sandwich I’ve ever had at the fair!”
As my shift was coming to a close and I was cleaning up the grill… a funny thing happened. The flare up of grease continued to grow… and grow… and grow. I tried a few things, to no avail, and we started to consider that we might have to do the unthinkable… a fire extinguisher. Lee Libert stepped into action and safely put out the flame – but it meant that we would have to shut down until the grill could be properly and thoroughly cleaned.
So we did.
Scrub, vacuum, scrub some more. Every surface, every utensil, every part of that grill was gone over multiple times to ensure that it would be beyond safe to cook and serve from.
Two hours later, we re-opened the window and began to take orders. And boy did we take orders! Over the next three plus hours, we more than made up for being down earlier. That might have had something to do with me heading out and turning the grill over to Brody Dodd, but who’s to say?
This is indicative of so much of our life of faith, isn’t it? Something happens, our plans go sideways, we have a problem and have to pivot in an unexpected way, and we’re afraid that it will all go to pot. And then, by God’s immense grace, we discover that it doesn’t. Somehow… everything is ok. And sometimes, better than ok.
If you’d like to be a part of “better than ok” – stop by “The Best Food at the Fair Food Booth” today, through Saturday, to enjoy a GREAT sandwich, salad, burger or chicken – and fries! Not only will you be helping to support the ministries of Canonsburg UP Church, but you’ll also be sure to get the… Best Food at the Fair! And if you like to be part of making that best food, I’m sure Cathy would be happy to sub you in for me some day this week too!
Also – a shout out to the Washington County Pony League Team, including our own Ethan Amos, Jackson Greene & Colton Mumford who are playing TONIGHT at 7p in the Pony League World Series CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – where they will play Chinese Taipei. Tickets are just $8 – and if Monday’s game was any indication, the atmosphere will be electric. (We witnessed just the second Washington Team Grand Slam Home Run in the history of the tournament!) If you’re able, go out and cheer them on. And if you can’t be there in person, you can watch on SportsNet Pittsburgh or tune in online. Good Luck Boys!
Grateful for God’s grace in so many different ways!
Welcoming You to Grow in Jesus,
Pastor Don