God can make the impossible possible - blessings.

I want to share how God has blessed me.

As a young minister a man approached me and said, “Fr. do you know someone that is interested in buying a mom/pop grocery store in Sixth Ward, a black area of Houston?  If you do and we make a contract I will give you ten percent of the sell to do with as you please.”

I told him I did not, but ask why they were selling.  He explained that his son owned the store and had become addicted to gambling.  The son owed two large grocery supply houses in Houston and could not pay the debts.  He would have to file bankruptcy if he could not sell and if he did that might damage the father’s relationship with the supply houses. 

In the summer months as a child I always returned to my grandmother’s house in Birmingham, Alabama.  When I became old enough I spent my summers working in a mom/pop grocery store in a black area.  I loved everything about it even down to the distinct smell.  Little did I know God was preparing me for something in the future?

Out of curiosity I visited the store the next day.  It was under stocked and dirty.  It certainly needed some tender love and care.  The attitude of the people working in the store was if you want something, get it, pay and go.

That night as I prayed I included Mr. Russo’s request in my prayer.  Something came to me, why don’t you pursue getting the store.  I thought afterwards that is ridiculous.  I did not want to leave the ministry and I had no money.

Each day I thought more and more about the store.  I could provide jobs for some people in my parish if I had the store.  Then the bubble would burst and I would recall I had NO money.  After about the third day it came to me that what Mr. Russo was really interested in was getting his son out from under the debt.  I did not have money, but I had excellent credit and after all I was a priest and the suppliers were Catholic.

If Phillip filed bankruptcy the suppliers would get nothing, if they let me assume the notes and agreed to restock the store and give me a line of credit they may recoup something.  I did have experience in running a mom/pop grocery store in a black area.  

I called Mr. Russo and told him the idea that had come to me and explained it sounded stupid, but I wanted him to go with me to the suppliers and see if they had an interest.  We went and a week later they bought my idea.

I got volunteers to clean, paint and repair the store.  It looked great.  I hired people I knew from the parish that needed work and had a fiend that was the proof reader for the Texas Catholic Herald to agree to manage it. 

Within two weeks we were doing more business in one day than Phillip was doing in a week.  In less than three months we were doing more business in one day than Phillip was doing in a month.  It was a great success. 

We provided good jobs with good pay and benefits to the seven people working in the store.  Two young men finished college and graduated with honors working for us.  In the five years we had the store we never terminated an employee and no employee ever resigned. 

All the debts were paid in full and we eventually paid for everything when delivered.  My part of the profits was used for ministries and school scholarships.

Five years later God had another plan.  We sold the store to an elderly Italian man.  Each of the employees got one year salary with benefits paid in advance. 

God made what seemed impossible possible.  God had a plan then and God has a plan now for my life and God has a plan for your life.  Listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to you in a quiet voice and obey.

This is only one of many blessing I have seen God grant me and from time to time I want to start sharing them with you.