What We Need

  My wife and I enjoyed a nice lunch at Cracker Barrel the other day and while we were sitting there waiting patiently for some delicious food to come our way, I noticed right away that the atmosphere in the place was `alive` with folks
smiling, laughing and genuinely enjoying each other's company.

  I mentioned to my wife, as I watched some people next to our table embracing one another and expressing their joy at seeing an old friend, that this kind of spirit is exactly what our world needs! There was an atmosphere of peace and
emotional healing there in that restaurant. It was very refreshing to see!

  We all know the terrible desperation and division among many in our
nation today and I have no desire to rehash any of that here. I do, however,
want to reflect on the kind of spirit that seemed to `rule the day` there in
Cracker Barrel that afternoon. There was kindness among the patrons and
lots of laughter. Patience and understanding from the waitresses and an
overall good attitude! That was such a delight to witness!

  There was a great song in the 60`s which stated,..."What the world needs now is love, sweet love", and it made a very real impression on society then and I have to believe it could do the same today. I don't recall who sung it but I have
good memories of the tune from my youth!

  What we need is love. Sounds too simple and rather naive, doesn't it? The best
things in life usually are simple and much easier than we make them out to be.
Love requires action and a determined effort to accomplish what it sets out
To do! Real love is sacrificing for the other person! That's what I saw in that
restaurant in our sleepy little town. Refreshing and as good as any desert on
the menu.

  Maybe we should start a new movement in America. We could call it, "the
Cracker Barrel movement" and give it a good push from our own neighbor~
hood and, hopefully, watch it give birth to a national revival.

  Let's join together in the same spirit and do our best to forgive those who hurt us, renew relationships and bring about the kind of society that we all have
imagined since our childhood. Not nirvana or the land of Oz but a real,
tangible, authentic society that embodies the `the Cracker Barrel` spirit and
allows other nations to model it.

  May the movement begin with us!


Jeff Pendleton

7/22/16