February 23, 2007
So here I am - still in Branson instead of on the road? Why? I’m not sure I have the answer to that question, but I will share with you the results of my "wondering".
The first time the Lord led me to Branson, I wondered… unable to understand why He would want me in a place where almost everyone accepts Jesus as their savior and God as their master… and wondering of what use I could be in a place already filled with believers?
But even though I wondered, I never once faltered in my belief that it WAS truly His will. So off to Branson I went, (6 years ago). After attending an evening gathering in my honor, (something that made me uncomfortable), hosted by the Branson Arts Council, and then after spending two hours sharing my poetry and songs before the very people I least expected to enjoy my art… or to hear my message, my fears were proven wrong and the audience wanted more… and seemed genuinely moved to help me present my work to the right people in the Branson gospel music industry as well as producers of some of the local shows.
Surely that was the reason the Lord had brought me to Branson; to meet people who could help me share my message with the whole world via the air waves, and since that had been accomplished, it was time to drive away once again… into the unknown.
But apparently, I was wrong. It wasn't long before once again I found myself driven to return to Branson… which I did one year later. But like the first time I followed the call - then left as soon as I thought my purpose had been fulfilled; this time after recording a CD of some of my poetry and making even more connections in the music industry. Surely THAT was why the Lord brought me back here, and since it had been accomplished, my work in Branson must be finished. The CD’s were a blessing that I hadn’t even thought of because now, when I put on a show at a rest home, retirement center, or even an open performance, I can offer CD’s to those who want to hear the message again, or perhaps share it with others. Surely THIS TIME my work in Branson was done… and once again, I drove away..
But as I've said before, “man proposes – but the Lord disposes,” and once again, I was wrong. This time the unexplainable urge to return didn’t descend upon me until after I had finished taking care of my mother, who was ill in California. During the time I spent with her, the desire to hit the road was completely gone… so I knew that I must be right where the Lord wanted me; honoring my mother during her time of need.
But as soon as she became stronger, and it was time for her to stand on her own again… almost immediately thoughts of Branson began to fill my mind. I would open my eyes in the morning and before I even had a chance to realize that I was awake... Branson was the first thing I thought of. Or perhaps some noise I didn’t remember hearing during the night would wake me up... and Branson would be on my mind.
The message was clear, to me anyway, that whatever the reason was that the Lord wanted me in Branson had not yet been fulfilled… which meant I MUST go back.
When I told my mother that I was leaving and that Branson would be my destination, she was more than a little surprised. During the countless hours we spent talking about everything, (and sometimes nothing at all), I had told her time and time again that I didn’t really LIKE Branson that much.
Why? Because I love the ocean – and Branson is FAR away from the nearest shoreline. I love snowcapped mountains and downhill skiing… and Branson’s hills are rounded and had no year-round snow on them.
My reasons were many, among them the fact that I have always LOVED the forests of the Northwest, with trees so tall they nearly cover the sky and rivers that race down steep inclines, carving sculptured paths through solid rock and creating waterfalls and deep silent pools. And MY mountains (in Oregon) are green 12 months of the year, with only the pine needle beds turning to white as the winter snow blankets them… and THAT was where I've always felt closest to God.
Yes... Branson is in the Ozark Mountains, but the trees that cover these hills come alive in the spring, turn beautiful colors in the autumn… and do no more than exist through the cold winter months. So why would I trade hills like those for my beloved snowcapped mountains?
And there were other reasons, such as the fact that Branson is known as the “buckle” on the Bible Belt… so of what use could I be to brothers and sisters who already know and accept our Lord and His son, Jesus Christ?
But still I came… driving away from the joy of spending time with my mother in Sacramento, California and driving my 33 foot RV thousands of miles back to Branson, Missouri. And even as I drove into to the same RV Park I stayed at during my last visit, I had absolutely no idea why I was there… and guess what? It didn’t matter!
Each and every day, one at a time, is a gift in itself… so any direction the Lord might give me… was purely a blessing; (frosting on the cake), and the BEST PART of all was that I didn’t NEED to know why.
After all… how can my pitiful little earth-mind even HOPE to understand the inner-workings of our mighty Lord and master? It can’t – and the day when I fully realized that – and let go of my need (and even my desire) to know WHY… was the day I became FREE. It was the day that complete and utter contentment filled my soul – and it would be mine forever. No more questions… no more needing to understand… no more NEEDING anything but faith in the fact that my Lord ALWAYS has my best interests at heart and that all things work toward glorifying Him.
And the best part of all is that contentment like that doesn’t fade when things become difficult. It doesn’t waver when physical pain seems unbearable nor is it based upon having everything we THINK we need in order to exist in this modern day world. It's permanent… just as permanent as my TRUST in the Lord and my faith in His son, Jesus Christ.
God always has a plan… and once it dawned on me that EVERY SINGLE THING that happens to me could SOMEHOW be used to glorify His name, nothing else mattered. After all, my Lord knows everything – and that is enough.
At the risk of repeating myself, lest I lose your interest, let’s just say that coming to Branson, getting a job as a server in a buffet restaurant and buying a little lot to park my RV on were things I could never have imagined as I drove Faith (my RV) from California to Missouri. But here I am…
And this time I didn’t leave. I felt driven to finish my book so that the things the Lord has shown me could be magnified in the telling – thousands of times over – by each person who reads it.
And the “land” I bought (by His Grace and the generosity of my brothers and sisters), was perhaps a place where this simple poet could spend the rest of her days writing, surrounded by people in the gospel music industry and safely ensconced among brothers and sisters who share my faith. Now I have a safe and comfortable place, especially for a woman alone, and for this, I am truly grateful.
I once thought that as a “cheerleader for the people” I could be better used in a place where the people didn’t already know and love Jesus, but once again I discovered that I was wrong... when the Holy Spirit made it more than clear to me that God has called me to encourage HIS people! Let the shepherds do the gathering and let the teachers do the teaching…If my Lord and master wants me protected in the bosom of HIS people, and to be there to encourage and love them, so be it!
Until recently, I really thought that THOSE were the main reasons I was here. But my Lord, in His infinite wisdom, has continued to enlighten me, and now I understand that there was more… much more; and it was right in front of me all the time.
It’s my job at the Grand Country Buffet that has become the one reason that fills my heart more than any other (at least right now). I still CAN’T BELIEVE that I actually have a job where I am PAID to make my brothers and sisters happy! How can that be? I didn’t know there WAS such a job.
It’s not like being a “waitress” because my time is not spent taking orders, delivering food or accepting payment because at the buffet I don’t do any of those things. MY JOB is making sure that every single customer I greet leaves the restaurant feeling better than they did when they came in!
When they walk into the restaurant and I smile and greet them… “Hi folks, welcome to Grand Country.” “My name is Gayle (the name I use at work) and I’m here to make sure that you have a wonderful dinner,” it is my HONOR to love them and serve them just as Jesus would… and I do so in his name. Not a single day goes by that I don’t get numerous opportunities to bear witness to the power and grace of our Lord. I get to give hugs where needed, encouragement at every opportunity and to use the joy and contentment the Lord has blessed me with as an example for all those I serve. It has been absolutely amazing, and the joy I get from being a servant defies words, (even for a writer).
So it’s been three seasons now (partial years)… and my desire to serve grows deeper and more apparent with every passing year. But it wasn’t until THIS year that it really dawned on me. There I was, taking a few months off from serving so I could rest, recuperate and write… when I began to MISS my brothers and sisters. Here I am, only half-way through my winter writing time, and all I can think about is walking up to that first customer… and looking into his or her eyes with the over-powering love that both Jesus and I have for them. What a blessing – and what an honor! My customers are my family members and many of them are sad and confused - in pain or lonely. I am absolutely DRIVEN to make some small difference in their lives. When I was on the road, I sought them out… and now – they come to me. What a wonderful blessing!
Until the Lord brought me to the Grand Country Buffet, I didn’t realize that such a job existed, or that I could possibly make a living by simply being a blessing to others; something I would most happily do for nothing - but here I am… Every single day when I arrive at the Grand Country Square, I pause on the back stairs, looking out over the “rounded hills,” (which I have now come to love, by the way), and have a prayer. I ask my Lord to grant me wisdom and patience, that I might be a good supervisor as well as a good example to the other servers. I ask Him to bring me all those whom He would have me encourage or bear witness to. And because this body (the vessel that has now carried my spirit for almost 56 years) is no longer strong enough to spend10+ hours on my feet, so I ask him to carry my burden and to allow His love (and the love of Jesus) to shine through me and be apparent to all those I serve. And now, this simple poet is humbled with awe because He truly answers that prayer… so strongly that customers, (some not even in my section) approach me and tell me that they can see it. Wow! I wonder if THAT's why He brought me to Branson?
Gee, I sure do a lot of wondering for someone who doesn’t NEED the answers, don’t I? But you see, I believe there is such a thing as GOOD wondering… which is when you allow the will of God to direct you - and then be in “wonder” at the results. Who knows how many reasons there are yet to be discovered and I, for one, await them eagerly.
Soon my winter writing-time will be over… maybe another month… and I seem to be having difficulty concentrating on writing my book. Why? Because my book speaks of “yesterday” … and I can’t help thinking about the people I will have the honor of serving “tomorrow”.
Perhaps I need some work on discipline… Hmmmm.
With love and continued blessings,
Abigayle
PICTURE BELOW: At last... an RV large enough to put my full-size keyboard (no room for the piano) in front of a window so I can play to my heart's content!
