Have you ever seen a warning sign on a rural road with a picture of a horse and buggy? I have but I can’t remember seeing an actual horse pulling a buggy on the road until last month.
My daughter and I were exploring Amish/Mennonite country in Missouri. We went to a couple of stores and a cafe attached to one store. We saw several horse drawn vehicles. There was one that was pulled by several horses because it was a long trailer loaded with plants and a headless scarecrow. Before heading back home, we stopped at a unique coffee shop.
The coffee shop was inside of a grain bin. It looked like a metal silo but since the shop was called “Ozark Coffee Bin”, I researched online that it was a grain bin instead of a silo. Unlike the other businesses in the community, this shop was on the modern side with an espresso machine and credit card reader.
I had the berry blast smoothie and my daughter had the biscuits and gravy with eggs. All very good but the gravy was a bit salty for my taste. The women in the place all wore dresses and head coverings. The cute toddlers were barefoot with the boy wearing suspenders. They all left the parking lot in a horse drawn buggy.
Being in a grain bin, the restroom was oddly shaped. The light switch was hidden by the outer wall and the door jamb. Thankfully there was a sign pointing out where the switch was located. Once the door was closed, the bathroom was a roomy wedge shape.
A group of girls came in wearing similar style dresses as the women with the toddlers but these girls had smartphones. So I don’t think they were Amish. I was told later that the Mennonites aren’t as strict about technology as the Amish.
Before we left, my daughter wanted to say thanks to the workers but no one was in sight. An older woman in the seating area asked if we needed anything. After my daughter explained what she wanted to do, the older woman said that she and her husband were investors and would let the girls know. Of course, we gave a good report of the service, food, and drinks.
This charming coffee shop was a unique business in this rural community because they used modern technology in a rustic grain bin. Maybe your business isn’t as unique as a coffee shop in a grain bin, but because you are unique, your business is too when you do you.
Prayer
Dear God in heaven,
Thank You for making us unique in our own way so that our business is unique, too. Help us to do business the way You want us to. May we glorify You in our business, too.
In Your Son’s name, Amen
Verses
Psalms 139:14 I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are marvelous and my soul knows that full well
Ephesians 2:10 We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works, which God, the Father, has prepared beforehand so we should do them
1 Corinthians 11:10 For this reason a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head
Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman must not wear men’s clothing nor a man dress up in women’s clothing
Ecclesiastes 11:2 Give a portion to seven or even eight investments for you don’t know what calamity may happen
Galatians 6:4 Let each one examine his own work, then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with others
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God
Song
“Wonderfully Made“ by Ellie Holcomb is a new song for me. Her voice reminds me of Dolly Parton and the lyrics goes well with the tune.
Call to Action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then make a list of your skills, passion, and opportunities to see where they intersect.