Providence

I believe in providence. Even in spite of my oft bad attitude and sometimes myopic vision, I can’t help but realize when God has placed something in my path, just when I need to see it. So this past Wednesday, when work pressed in from all sides, and I didn’t have time for travel to a conference, God had something I needed to see.

I had been asked to speak at Winshape Retreat, on the campus of Berry College. I was pretty skeptical. No televisions, no phones, and no Internet. Thanks to a rehearsal, I didn’t arrive there until after midnight. But morning broke with a brilliant sunrise, a fitting beginning to two great days.

Winshape Retreat, an oasis and the product of one man’s vision, is funded by Chick-fil-a. Fittingly, for seventy years, it was a large dairy operated by Martha Berry. In 2003, it was donated to Truett Cathy’s Winshape Foundation. While preserving the serenity and beauty of the site, barns were turning into guest rooms, restaurants, and meeting facilities.

On Friday, I saw an impressive presentation by a Chick-fil-a marketing executive. Instead of touting the iconic cows, he outlined a business model truly unique in our world. Chick-fil-a has set itself apart in the fast-food market—over $3 billion in annual sales, closed on Sunday, and they put the word “God” in their mission statement. And ten percent of Chick-fil-a earnings go to fund Winshape.

It was rejuvenating to spend two days at this amazing site—to walk these serene grounds and experience service as a function of religion, not business. On Friday, I got up before sunrise to spend some quiet time on the grounds with my Nikon. I should have been prepping for my presentation. Instead I captured a few images to preserve the lessons put in my path at this wonderful place.