Attacks come fast, but Grace faster

With the first official week of the Cat's Cradle Project behind me I can say that it has been a roller coaster. The events of the last seven days (since the sites.google.com/site/catscradleproject site went live) have been painful, amazing, and educational.

First, and almost immediately came the attacks from the enemy. I knew to expect this but I still wasn't prepared. The short story is that after being unemployed for several months due to classes I was to teach being delayed, I was set to finally get back into the classroom this past Monday. That all changed with a phone call last Friday informing me that the class had been canceled. I am new to this so I guess I am partly to blame - I didn't know that it was possible to pull the plug on a class with so little notice, nor did I know that there was no protection or compensation for the instructor. So, the waiting game begins anew.

The great thing (and here's the educational part) is that as fast as the attacks come - grace comes faster. Staying faithful and positive and committed to this project has allowed me to witness God's grace and love in hard times. While my wife and I have decided that it is time for me to look for a "real job" again and join the working world, I have made a concerted effort not to let Cats Cradle slip. It would have been easy to...believe me - I've been pounding out resumes, applications and cover letters all week. It would have been very easy to say "well, it just isn't meant to be" and quietly push everything under the carpet. Yet having made it a point NOT to do that has opened the doors for three amazing and specific things to happen. Before I share those things I want to add, that in my experience, God doesn't mess around when sending me a message (He knows how hard of hearing I am) and so he usually sends things two or three times, just so I don't miss it.

In this case, I received an awesome email from a friend who has a full sound system he uses for mobile gigs. He has offered to lend the project his equipment until we are able to gather our own. Simply Amazing. The first concrete reinforcement to my belief that God will work through a multitude of channels in ways unknown and mysterious and...simply amazing.

The second event was in finding the first interesting location. Yeah, I said it - a location is on the radar. I don't know if it's perfect yet, but it is intriguing. What is really cool is how it came up: My wife and a few friends in her office go for daily lunch walks - a few days ago they happened by a building in downtown Kalamazoo that had a "lease" sign in the window for the basement level. Now, downtown isn't my "envisioned" location, but I have said all along that I know my vision of this needs to be malleable. Later that evening, we looked it up and the found the description of the space: "Great downtown location in the lower level of Kalamazoo Ballet. Take a look at the pictures. This has great ambiance. Some restaurant equipment available. Large bar and a small stage. Perfect for a small restaurant, cozy piano bar, pool hall, outreach center...use your imagination." Outreach? and it already has a stage! Pretty cool, huh?

I went and visited the space today - and it needs a LOT of work...but the owner of the building and the Realtor sound very...well...helpful? agreeable?....not sure the right word - but rent is something that sounds flexible, especially if the right group be willing to put some sweat equity into the space. Oh, and there is room to grow.

I'll post more on this in the discussion forum of the website under the topic "location" - please check that out there - I need some feedback on my "pro's" vs "cons" on this one. Also, check out the Cat's Cradle site under photos for some pics of the space.

Finally - and most amazing, was the precious gift we received yesterday. I have not asked for, nor even hinted at the need yet - but it is a reality I knew I'd have to address soon. A very good friend however, beat me to asking. An extremely generous donation to the project arrived in the mail - and while there is not a specific need yet, it is one more crystal clear symbol that this project is needed, supported and on the right track....Something I personally need to keep hearing.

So, week one is in the books. It has been a little quiet out there - if you haven't yet, please take the time to help me out by reading the site and sharing any thoughts you have. There are no bad ideas.

Also, a couple people have asked if they can share the site with friends that might be interested - the answer is a resounding YES. The only thing I ask is that you give them my email and encourage them to contact me directly. I can then add them to the email list if they wish so they can get any updates.

Thanks to everyone for chiming in so far, for encouraging this project, and for PRAYING - nothing happens without that.

God's Peace
and stay tuned.......

-Scott