Pumpkinfest

A Brisk Evening

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“God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left” (Lamentations 3:22-24, The Message).

I trekked once more over to downtown Franklin for Pumpkinfest 2017. I had the incredibly bright idea to park at the Factory and walk the rest of the way.

It was cold.

Halfway there, I began rethinking the brilliance of said idea. But I also had the thought of how much I’d like to be at a bonfire right about now.

I still think that fall is my favorite season, especially when the temperatures dip into the 40’s and I finally get to pull all that flannel out of the closet and start wearing it.

I’m thinking right now that for me, the best day ever is still today, because that’s the day full of new mercies and fresh grace. That’s the day where you find God speaking to you. Not in yesterday or tomorrow, but today.

I didn’t quite calculate my arrival at Pumpkinfest just right. When I arrived, most of the booths were tearing down and there were few people still around. I still managed to have a spectacular Greek salad from Taziki’s and some stellar hot chocolate from Frothy Monkey. And I got my 10,000 steps in.

Speaking of flannel, I have my flannel shirt hanging on my closet door, ready for me to put on in the morning when my brain is in pre-coffee mode and needs all the help it can get. It’s really sad.

Still, tomorrow will have those new mercies and fresh grace that I’m so fond of. I can’t wait to see how God will show up at The Church at Avenue South (and later on in my Life Group).

A good time will be had be all.

Pumpkinfest 2013: My Take and Other Thoughts Thrown in for Free

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I had a great time at Pumpkinfest 2013 in downtown Franklin. I even got in a bit of exercise, parking in The Factory and walking the rest of the way.

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I stopped in at all my favorite haunts (get it? haunts on a Halloween celebration?) including McCreary’s Irish Pub, Frothy Monkey, Sweet CeCe’s, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. It was great.

It was crowded, to say the least, They had Main Street blocked off from 1st Ave all the way to 5th Ave. There were lots of families with little kids dressed up in costumes. Even a few dogs had costumes. I’m sure while the owners were all like “How cute he looks” or “How adorable he looks,” the dogs were all probably thinking, “Kill me now. Please.”

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There were booths everywhere. Crafts, food, music. You name it. It was there.

I’m sure the people who work there are glad that these festivals only happen every so often. Every place was packed out the entire time I was there. That had to make for a long work day, especially on a Saturday.

I try to be as positive and encouraging a customer as I can. I know it sounds like a K-Love commercial, but it’s true. I’ve done enough time in retail to know that people are used to rude and ungracious customers. I think part of being like Jesus is to make people feel as good about themselves as possible. To help them see all they could be. Plus, that one encouraging word could mean the difference between a completely crappy day and a somewhat good day.

I love seeing my friends in downtown Franklin. They always make me feel at home there, especially at McCreary’s. I know just about all the servers there and even pray for them regularly by name.

I’d like to be the person people remember fondly, but I’m praying that even if they don’t remember me at all, I’ve shown them Jesus in such a way that they never forget HIM. After all, it won’t matter about who knew me in the end, but it will mean everything as to whether people know Jesus or not.

I can’t wait until the Christmas Dickens in the Square festival.

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