If you answered yes to that first question, you practiced faith.
So what's an adventure in naked faith? I believe when we step out toward our end-goal we are embarking on an adventure being written in the present. We also lay ourselves bare to quizzical glances and outright ridicule.
I'm believing the adventure will override the doubts!
The Adventure
You may be asking, "What adventure is this?" And the answer is a multifaceted ministry via a business venture in our tiny town here in the heartland. Although I might like to think myself adventurous, I'm really too content to be at home, to have my routine, to dot the i's and cross the t's....order brings me peace. An occasional jaunt is fine, but I don't go looking for trouble. So to find myself staring at this could be quite daunting had the Author of the story not been so trustworthy.
The story begins in early August this year, on a drive home from Wichita, dreaming with my husband about the future. That night I couldn't sleep when all the dreaming and ideas merged into a concrete concept. I spent hours that night furiously scribbling down every thought lest I lose them by morning. Never has this happened to me before, and I believe with all my heart that my LORD was impressing this upon me so strongly I would have no rest until I did more than entertain the idea. It was as close to inspiration as I'll ever get.
My inspiration includes the following elements: a coffee shop, specializing in Fair Trade gift items, supporting those we know working with people in poverty; providing a place for the college crowd to gather, a place for community members to meet, a place for live music and cool art. We also desire that this place be an extension of our living room, to offer hospitality and an environment where people can just be, and an atmosphere reflecting the God who lives in us.
There's nothing special really in all of these things; they're being done other places all over the world with all degrees of success. But throw in the fact that, oh, yeah, I'm a stay-at-home mom that home schools (yeah, one of those crazies) and have no prior business experience, and the idea is a little more scary. I feel the urge to look over my shoulder to make sure someone else isn't meant for this. Seeing no one else there, I know this is intended for me.
As I referred to the adventure in naked faith before, the next step was to open my mouth and tell someone....my husband. Fortunately, I know no one else who is more supportive in anything I do, so that was easy. He actually took me seriously enough to begin to pray with me. As we prayed, things began to happen, and these are indisputably, positive road signs urging us to turn the page and begin the story.
-Hannah
You may be asking, "What adventure is this?" And the answer is a multifaceted ministry via a business venture in our tiny town here in the heartland. Although I might like to think myself adventurous, I'm really too content to be at home, to have my routine, to dot the i's and cross the t's....order brings me peace. An occasional jaunt is fine, but I don't go looking for trouble. So to find myself staring at this could be quite daunting had the Author of the story not been so trustworthy.
The story begins in early August this year, on a drive home from Wichita, dreaming with my husband about the future. That night I couldn't sleep when all the dreaming and ideas merged into a concrete concept. I spent hours that night furiously scribbling down every thought lest I lose them by morning. Never has this happened to me before, and I believe with all my heart that my LORD was impressing this upon me so strongly I would have no rest until I did more than entertain the idea. It was as close to inspiration as I'll ever get.
My inspiration includes the following elements: a coffee shop, specializing in Fair Trade gift items, supporting those we know working with people in poverty; providing a place for the college crowd to gather, a place for community members to meet, a place for live music and cool art. We also desire that this place be an extension of our living room, to offer hospitality and an environment where people can just be, and an atmosphere reflecting the God who lives in us.
There's nothing special really in all of these things; they're being done other places all over the world with all degrees of success. But throw in the fact that, oh, yeah, I'm a stay-at-home mom that home schools (yeah, one of those crazies) and have no prior business experience, and the idea is a little more scary. I feel the urge to look over my shoulder to make sure someone else isn't meant for this. Seeing no one else there, I know this is intended for me.
As I referred to the adventure in naked faith before, the next step was to open my mouth and tell someone....my husband. Fortunately, I know no one else who is more supportive in anything I do, so that was easy. He actually took me seriously enough to begin to pray with me. As we prayed, things began to happen, and these are indisputably, positive road signs urging us to turn the page and begin the story.
-Hannah
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