Under New Management
​
Dear Friends,
​
When Ben Cohen decided to sell the store, I figured it would be the end of an era for me. I started working at Ben & Leo's Supermarket in Colchester the summer I turned 16. It was one of the best moves I ever made. For the next seven years I worked at the store. I began as a bag boy and a member of the stock crew. I worked a few nights after school and every Saturday. It was a great job.
Ben was very flexible when it came to scheduling. I managed to fit in soccer practice, band rehearsals and other important activities during my last two years of high school. Still, he had a business to run. For a time, my best friend, Leon, and I worked opposite hours. Ben worked it out so that between the two of us we were able to fill the hours he needed to have someone in place.
When I left for college, my schedule changed. I actually left for a few months but then I came back. I was commuting to UCONN and living at home. As a result, I was able to work 30 hours a week. In my second year of college, I was given more responsibility at the store. I began producing the ads for the weekly specials. In my third year, I was promoted to frozen food and dairy manager.
The announcement of the sale of the store in 1979-80 was met with sadness by everyone. We should have known it was coming when we were told to go easy on our weekly orders. The inventory was allowed to dwindle. Finally, we were pulled aside and told that the store had been sold. A date was set for the new owners to come in and meet everyone. No one knew what would happen.
Change is hard. We like the routine because we know what to expect. We can plan ahead. Life falls into comfortable patterns. Yet, at the same time we can become complacent and even a little lazy. That's why change can be good. It breaks up the status quo and allows for new patterns to develop in life. Change forces us to reevaluate what has been and contemplate what can be.
When Marty and John came into Ben & Leo's they made several changes right out of the gate. Cleaning and painting crews came in and gave the store a complete makeover. I will never forget the day we began restocking the shelves. Everything felt brand new. A sense of optimism flooded the staff. Even the marquis sign got a second life with a new name, Noel's Market. It was the same… but different.
It's a lot like what happens when a person comes to faith. Suddenly everything changes. Jesus refers to it as being born again or a spiritual rebirth. There is an awareness of sin and a desire to change. A new believer turns to God and asks him to make changes. David's prayer in Psalm 51 reflects this desire to make all things new. I love it. David says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me."
When a person comes to Christ and begins to walk in faith, there is an excitement within them. It is one of the best days in a new believer’s life. It is like there is a posted sign hanging over their life that says, "Under New Management!" You see, being born again means starting over and shifting your mindset to new goals that focus on Christ and God's plan for you. What can be more exciting than that?
So, give it a try if you haven’t done so already. The new boss is amazing. You won’t be disappointed. The changes will bless you and the people you know.
​See you in church.
Pastor Cal