The Lord and the Lake
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to this position for such a time as this? – Esther 4:14
February 12, 2020
Two years ago I was asked to speak at the Café Central spring fundraiser. I’m not much of a public speaker, but I agreed. As I took my place on stage I asked the question, “do you ever wonder how you got somewhere? You know, that place you would never have dreamed of being, let alone planned on being.”
As you may know, Doug and I are from Colorado. The first question people would ask is, “how in the world did you get to Milledgeville, GA from Colorado?” For a while we would explain the process. Telling how Doug had been retired for a couple years, our son was working in Texas, daughter at school in Ohio, and that we’d always wanted to live in a warmer climate on a lake. Now that we’ve settled into Milledgeville, developed relationships, become part of communities, and been able to see God at work, our answer is much more simple…“The Lord and the Lake”.
When Doug and I decided to look for a lake home we put in all of the criteria we were looking for and began our search. We narrowed it down, contacted a realtor and traveled to Georgia, for the first time ever, to find a house. We looked at 16 one weekend, put an offer on one that was refused and then put an offer on another that was accepted. Funny thing is, a couple that lived within 30 minutes from us in Colorado had owned our house. Not really realizing God’s leading at this time, this house could not have turned into a better home.
Community is another part of this story. Not knowing exactly where our home was on the lake added another interesting twist to the story. Many areas don’t have many “full time” residents, our loop does. Neighborhood community. The area we live in is somewhat secluded. There is a fire department with an auxiliary that has some events and things to do without driving into town. Lake community. One of the first questions we were asked after we moved by was, “have you found a church yet?” Blessed to have found Freedom. Church community. The final significant community we have found is Café Central. Family.
Through Café Central we have met people we would never have dreamed of or planned on. We’ve had an opportunity to be a part of their lives and deaths. We’ve sat with them in their homes. Attended funerals. Watched their children play sports. We’ve celebrated birthdays, graduations, and new jobs. We even have a Godchild, or three.
Perhaps if I ask the same question I asked two years ago, “how did I get to this place”, my answer might be…”for such a time as this”.
Until we “read” again…God Bless!
You can go to our “GIVE” link anytime: https://cafecentralmilledgeville.org/give/
Stephannie Shelton
Stephannie and her husband Doug have been volunteering at Cafe Central for 6 years. They moved from Colorado to Milledgeville Georgia in 2015. That year during Sunday service, the announcement that Cafe Central needed extra help for their Thanksgiving service, brought them for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. They have now served weekly since January 2016. Doug is the volunteer coordinator and member of the Cafe Central Board. Stephannie just likes to talk to, and about, the “family” Cafe Central has become.