What an emotional roller coaster of a week it has been! There have been so many ups and downs that it is difficult to believe that it has only been a week since I last sat down to share my thoughts with you guys. My heart goes out to so many that have experienced tragedy or the loss of loved ones. I am so thankful though that even during the midst of chaos and uncertainty if I just take the time to ask Jesus to help, he always calms my fears and speaks peace to the storms that rage in my soul...
It almost seems unimportant to describe this week’s specials to you, but even when bad things happen, life goes on. We are forever changed, and I hope that we can all grasp the meaning of life through some of the things that have happened to us over the past few weeks. The Special I have chosen for next week is a comforting dish called Chicken Divan. I originally got this recipe from the Queen of comfort food, the lovely Ms. Paula Deen. I did, however, put my own Kairos spin on it... The Fish is also a comforting favorite...Fresh Atlantic Salmon with my signature Honeymustard Glaze... the Soup is a hearty White Bean Soup and the veggie is our near famous Southern Fried Broccoli. The Kwick Hitter Menu includes Cheesy Chicken Baked Ziti, Granny’s Poppyseed Chicken Kasserole, and a new item just added to our Katering Menu, Ham and Cheese Baked Ziti... it is full of delicious goodness! Hopefully, with all the items on special this week we can bring many of you comfort through some of my most cherished recipes...
When the storm hit last Wednesday I was up in Gardendale working to clean out some of the mess left behind by the occupants of Main Street Café. We don’t have power up there yet, so I was relying on Jeremy (my best friend and Katering Director) to send me texts about when I could leave. I honestly thought that the weather was just a passing storm and I really wasn’t worried about it...
Then when I heard the news that Fultondale was hit pretty hard it caught my attention. I have several friends that live in that area and I began to worry about them...Riding back home that way I couldn’t believe the destruction I witnessed just from the highway. Then I started hearing the news that Tuscaloosa, Cullman, and Pratt City also took a hard hit. I have friends and family that are covered in all of those areas as well, but I couldn’t call to make sure they were okay. The rest of the day was just surreal as I began to imagine what could have happened to so many people that I love...
My cell phone wouldn’t send texts or receive calls so that was hard, but then I began receiving texts from all my family that live in Phenix City and Atlanta... it was tough to not be able to even tell them that I was okay... as I sat in the dark that night it was difficult to even pray. I remember telling God that I wanted to pray for everybody but it was hard to find the words... it brought back to mind that terrible morning of September 11, 2001 when I watched the towers fall, and was so frozen that I didn’t even know how to pray...
I experienced some sweet words from Jesus during the waiting period last Wednesday though. He said “Son, it really doesn’t matter if you say everything right, just reach out to me and say what is on your heart...” During that time I learned that no matter what happens, God is in control if I will just allow Him to be... sometimes though that involves unanswered questions and trusting Him even when I don’t know what is coming next...
As it came to pass the next day I found out that all my loved ones were safe, and then as I began to hear the news stories coming in, I felt a little unsettled that so many others had lost homes and loved ones. At that I felt like God said to me “Don’t try to figure this out...”
The sermon that Steve gave on Sunday was one of the most touching Church services I have ever been a part of ... He challenged us not to try and figure out what happened, and summed it up with this... we are, as the hands and feet of Jesus, called to comfort, encourage, and serve those that are in our community. There will be times when we will be the ones administering comfort, encouragement, and service. Then there will be other times where we need to be the receivers of the same.
I want Kairos Kafe to always be focused as a business on those three things.
Comfort. Encouragement. Service.
Will you join me? Thank You for supporting Kairos!
James K Jones
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