Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/10/08)
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TITLE: The Devil I Know | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debbie Wistrom
01/16/08 -
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The historic Masonic lodge he had purchased for a song two years ago was an architectural wonder and atrocity. Three stories of neglected woodwork could be salvaged he told me, “and would pay enough to recover my costs to date.” I confirmed that they were not considering that as an option, for both he and his wife, and their daughter had fallen in love with this space and even dozens of broken windows, dead pigeons and sagging ceilings were not enough reason to destroy all the quality workmanship, history and possibilities in this building that needed some tender loving care.
From our conversations over the years, Perry had heard enough of my complaints to know I was ready for a change and he knew we would get along. He had the money, but needed creative input. His one desire was to have a restaurant on the first floor. However, his wife had no interest in running a restaurant in their retirement or ever for that matter and according to Perry, did not have a creative bone in her body. My brain was set ablaze one day after a quick lunch hour tour. I had visions of using the existing old bank vault as a private dining room for two. Reservations only! Menu possibilities were endless.
It was a dream come true. I would have free reign to restore it in any fashion as long as we could make some money while we were at it. I spent days daydreaming about all the uses for this building that could fill many needs for our community. I spent one entire weekend pouring over paint chips, carpet and tile samples and thinking of themes for the main floor restaurant. I reveled in the stainless steel shelving and appliances that would outfit the kitchen of my dreams. My parents would be pleased if I could finally put my interior design diploma to use. I was in seventh heaven.
The third floor ballroom would make great loft studios for local artists. The second floor already had a small kitchen. I created appetizer menus for the art shows in the adjoining gallery. The calendar in my head exploded with monthly events spotlighting the works of the artists upstairs. I envisioned original local artwork gracing the wall of the restaurant.
“But I can’t pay for your insurance” echoed around my aching and frenzied brain. Maybe Kenny’s work could pick it back up; maybe the venture would be successful enough that Perry could afford it. What about the in between time? What about all the restaurants in town that had already folded? Were we too close to the big city that we would not get enough business to survive? Then I would have more to worry about than insurance.
When it came down to reality, I had to consider the devil I knew and the devil I didn’t know. There really is nothing wrong with my current job, it pays well, has a stock plan, I am left alone the majority of the time to do my work, each year we have an overnight Christmas party as well as a bonus and each employee receives a package of prime cut steaks. Besides Perry is a patient man and has a few other irons in the fire, so if this opportunity was from God, it would eventually come together and I would be able to live out this dream. Therefore, I decided to live in faith and applied one of my favorite scriptures. “…You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Now I had to let God fill in the calendar.
Matthew 25:23 NIV
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