If you watch certain TV shows and channels, you have most likely seen the advertising for Sonic Drive-In restaurants. Until recently there was no opportunity to visit one in this area of Minnesota. I did visit one in Iowa a few years ago though.
Recently, a Sonic Drive-In opened in Saint Paul. At least three weeks later, we went there around five on a Saturday afternoon, shortly after a storm blew through. At least three weeks after the grand opening, there was still a long wait. Traffic control personnel were hired to manage the demand. If you wanted a drive-in spot, you had to go to a staging area down the block in another parking lot and wait in line for at least 20 minutes.
Sonic had found a demand. It may be mostly driven by curiosity at this point. The long-term success has not been determined yet. But, by most accounts, their entrance into the Twin Cities was a huge success.
They are just fast food. But Sonic offers something new. They offer a wide spectrum of drinks and desserts. Their meals have a few unique offerings as well.
So what can we learn from this? If you are hungry and near Saint Paul, you may wish to check them out. Their TV advertising built a pent-up demand. It wasn't until they opened a store that they understood the payoff. Our efforts, as well, can be very productive with fruit we have yet to see.
But mostly, from my perspective, Sonic offered some new options and possibilities. Churches and businesses take heed. If you offer something new and at least partially innovative, people may be willing to at least check it out. Obviously, people were not totally content with their food options in the Twin Cities. And, since about 75% do not attend church on a given Sunday, they aren't too excited about their Christian worship options either.
Fresh approaches and fresh attitudes have a chance of meeting people where they are at. There are signs there is pent-up demand for churches or Christian fellowships that have fresh and innovative ways of touching lives. Dare to be different. Dare to take some risks. You never know. You may touch off a Sonic boom that impacts dozens or hundreds of lives.
Showing posts with label choices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label choices. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Playing the Cards You Are Dealt
One of the joys of our family Thanksgiving celebration is playing table games together. This year we played an old favorite, Sequence, and a new card game 3-13.
I only play card games a few times per year these days. As kids, we played quite often. One common theme in nearly all card and dice games is that success is a combination of skill and random chance, or some might call it "luck".
Because of the random factor, long-term enjoyment of these games may require not taking too much credit or blame for your success in any particular game. Even the most experienced players have turns when their options and chances for victory are extremely limited. And the beginners sometimes get a good hand or roll of the dice that makes victory quite easy.
Life can be that way too. And perhaps that is why these games are popular. Parts of our lives reflect our skill and choices. Other things are beyond our control, but not beyond God's control. Whatever hand we are dealt, we need to adapt and try to make the best of it.
Life may not seem fair at times. Some of the success stories, depending on how you define "success", are due to skill and wise choices. Sometimes they were dealt an easy hand with life experiences and relationships that were conducive to doing well. On the other side, not every person lacking in some way got into that situation entirely by bad choices. We have to be careful in our judgments of people, both positive and negative. Even in the most foolish of choices, most people choose what seems best at the time.
Most of us are dealt a mixed bag of circumstances and life situations. For me, some parts of my life have been a struggle. But I have had an easy "hand" in the areas of health and intelligence and some great spiritual teachers over the years. I severely lack in areas where others excel and have it easy - and perhaps vice versa. We have a great variety of personalities and sets of circumstances. We each have a unique story.
Whatever hand you are dealt, I hope you can choose to make the best of it. We cannot change the past. But we can make choices today and in the future. Give thanks for those parts of your life that have been relatively easy. And don't forget to thank God and any individuals that helped you along the way.
For any immediate family reading this, I am thankful for you and that a large family has consistently gotten along pretty well all these years. In that area, we got an easy "hand".
I only play card games a few times per year these days. As kids, we played quite often. One common theme in nearly all card and dice games is that success is a combination of skill and random chance, or some might call it "luck".
Because of the random factor, long-term enjoyment of these games may require not taking too much credit or blame for your success in any particular game. Even the most experienced players have turns when their options and chances for victory are extremely limited. And the beginners sometimes get a good hand or roll of the dice that makes victory quite easy.
Life can be that way too. And perhaps that is why these games are popular. Parts of our lives reflect our skill and choices. Other things are beyond our control, but not beyond God's control. Whatever hand we are dealt, we need to adapt and try to make the best of it.
Life may not seem fair at times. Some of the success stories, depending on how you define "success", are due to skill and wise choices. Sometimes they were dealt an easy hand with life experiences and relationships that were conducive to doing well. On the other side, not every person lacking in some way got into that situation entirely by bad choices. We have to be careful in our judgments of people, both positive and negative. Even in the most foolish of choices, most people choose what seems best at the time.
Most of us are dealt a mixed bag of circumstances and life situations. For me, some parts of my life have been a struggle. But I have had an easy "hand" in the areas of health and intelligence and some great spiritual teachers over the years. I severely lack in areas where others excel and have it easy - and perhaps vice versa. We have a great variety of personalities and sets of circumstances. We each have a unique story.
Whatever hand you are dealt, I hope you can choose to make the best of it. We cannot change the past. But we can make choices today and in the future. Give thanks for those parts of your life that have been relatively easy. And don't forget to thank God and any individuals that helped you along the way.
For any immediate family reading this, I am thankful for you and that a large family has consistently gotten along pretty well all these years. In that area, we got an easy "hand".
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