What’s
Up Guys,
I am
sad to let you guys know that Kairos Kafe Gardendale closed our doors last week.
The last several months have been a battle. We fought to the end but could not
make it work financially. I'm thankful for the time we spent in Gardendale and
all the wonderful folks I've met and built relationships with. Our paths have
crossed for a reason, and I have to believe that there was a purpose in Kairos
coming to Gardendale, and surely there will be purpose in our leaving. The most
difficult part of this was the fact that people lost jobs. The Staff we had in
Gardendale was incredible, and they hung in there with me all the way to the
bitter end. I was humbled to tears by the fact that my Staff stayed to help us
pack up even though they were losing jobs. That to me was an amazing display of
God’s Grace and Favor. I would appreciate it if you guys would keep them in
your prayers. We all know and believe that Jesus uses everything and works it
into a plan for something good. Jeremiah 29:11 is true.
Our
Birmingham location will be expanding our services there. We look forward to
continuing to build relationships around food with all of you. The process of
trying to run two restaurants has been incredibly difficult, but through it we
have learned a lot. I am thankful for the opportunity to regroup and focus on
providing the greatest lunch in Birmingham, and revamping our Katering Services
and Special Events. For starters our Kountry Buffet is coming to Birmingham
this week beginning Monday. We are very excited to be offering it to you guys
and hope you will love it. The Menu will change daily and will be posted on our
Facebook Page, or you can give us a call to see what the daily offerings are.
You can also get it To-Go which was wildly popular in Gardendale. Don’t be
alarmed though. All your favorite Menu Items will still be available. We are
not taking anything away. Just adding a new option for those of you who need a
fast lunch that is still packed full of delicious goodness!
The
Specials this week include Chicken Parmesan, Pumpkin Soup, Chicken Alfredo,
Greek Tacos, and a new favorite… Fried Pimento Cheese… it’s one of the best
things I’ve ever eaten! And going forward I will be coming up with new
delicious goodness that will make your taste buds sing. Also in the works is a
way to offer our baked goods at the Birmingham Location. I would love to hear
any feedback you have concerning our new services, and any suggestions that
will help us serve you better.
This
past week has been one of the most difficult weeks in my life. Yet, somehow
through all of it I have had a Peace that I cannot even begin to describe to
you. I am not afraid to fight. For Gardendale I did fight, I stood and I did
everything I could to make it work, but in the end I ran out of things to fight…
we just could not make it there. The decision was a hard one but it had to be
made. Had we continued along the same path we would have lost both locations,
and we couldn’t allow that to happen. I do not believe in quitting, but there
is a time when you have to stop doing something for the greater good of the
overall picture. For me it was hard to admit that it was over. Thoughts of
failure loomed through my head, heart, and emotions… but even through all this
Jesus was and is my constant companion who strengthens and encourages me even
through the roughest times. It took us 13 months and hundreds of thousands of
dollars to open the Gardendale location. It took us five hours to tear it all
down and leave. On the morning after the final decision was made He asked me “James,
do you believe the scripture that says I make all things work together and fit
them into a plan for good? Do you believe that or is it just a saying that you
use?” I was challenged because of course I believe that…when things are going
good… but in the face of one of the greatest epic failures of my life could I say
that I believe that and mean it? Yes. I could. I can. And I will. I may not understand
it today but one day I will.
Then
the love and words poured out to all of us over the last few days have been incredible.
When I achieve something I'm used to people saying "James I'm proud of
you". The last few days I have had people say they are proud of me even
though we just experienced an epic failure. One special person said "I've
never been prouder of you than I am right now" ... Why? (I ask)
"...because you are making the hard decisions and choosing not to
quit." The biggest lesson from the last few days: Just because we fail
never means we are failures. In the Kingdom of God Jesus uses everything, even
devastating losses, and somehow makes something good. I know I should not be
thinking this right now, but presently I'm excited to see the good things that
will come out of all this. As Branden and I left Gardendale for the last time
at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning I told him “Let’s just don’t look back. Let’s
just keep going.” We locked the doors, and did just that… Amazing Grace Indeed!
God
Bless You. Thank You For Supporting Kairos. Have a Wonderful week!
James
K Jones
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