I needed to hear a good story today..not as in reach for the tissues, tragic kind of story, but a happy wholesome had a nice life story.
I’d been walking about for a good hour, I lost some confidence today and just didn’t see anyone who caught my attention.
One good thing about my search for a subject was discovering the town I was in. Winer Garden in Orlando, a charming little place with lots of features you’d find in some cool, indie, low budget movie!
Behind the town coffee shop I spotted another business, a gift shop. It was quiet on the streets today so thought that perhaps the sales assistant wouldn’t be too busy to talk to me.
I walked in to find it was a charming Christian Shop, with lots of items from Jerusalem and a lovely interior with a peaceful atmosphere.
Craig greeted me with warm eyes and a big smile, we exchanged pleasantries and he asked if I had any questions..well of course I did, 6 to be exact!
Once I convinced Craig gently that I wouldn’t interfere with him working or bother his customers he was happy to chat.
Name: Craig Naugle
Occupation: Store Manager for the Silver Shekel
- Where were you born and raised?
Toledo, Ohio.
Craig was homeschooled, for religious reasons. The family were strong Christians and wanted to train their children themselves and felt that, that was a God given gift.
2. Tell me a childhood memory.
‘I was a paperboy, I had a little red trolley I’d pull with all the papers in it and each house would have a different place that they wanted their papers put. So I would hand deliver each one onto whatever hook, shelf or place they wanted it.’
3. What is your favourite season and why?
‘Fall. We don’t really have it here and I miss it. It’s the perfect temperature. I love the smell of Bonfires & remember being out with my friends and playing soccer.’
4. Tell me about someone you love.
‘My wife, first of all she is absolutely beautiful. We have been married for 3 years now. We dated before for quite a while, I moved down here for her. We met at the Holy Land experience, we both worked there. My wife worked in the scriptorium and would have to wear costume, she dressed kind of like a Monk! She has a radiance about her, she is always glowing and she has the biggest smile. Her name is Michal, its a biblical name, she was named after King David’s First wife.
5. What words of wisdom do you have for the reader about life?
‘Theres so much to say here. My first inclination is automatically to go to, to call out to people to follow God, to follow their hearts because I believe he created us, he knows whats best for us better than even we know. But I have a whole list of things.’
6. Dreams for the future?
‘I actually love to talk about God, I would like to be a Paster, a Disciple I guess. To help people and especially young men, they are a little lost in this country right now.’
Craig talks about his faith in a lovely way, he isn’t preachy or condescending, he just truly believes.
This story won’t appeal to everyone. But its Craig’s story and Craig’s happiness and contentment in life is testament to his belief and faith. I am always in awe of people who can talk about the love of God, their God and wholeheartedly and unashamedly profess it.
He’s a young man with a young family and living a good life thats full of love, its good to see that whatever your belief.
