Unanswered Prayer Series

Summary

Charisse Tyson shares her journey of owning a bar with her husband, their transition to a faith-based life, the eventual sale of the bar, and their current life on the road in a motorhome, emphasizing that God's plan unfolded better than her own.

Abstract

In the final part of her "Unanswered Prayer Series," Charisse Tyson recounts the transformation of her life and her husband's after he got sober in 2005. They sold their bar in 2018, a business that became a beacon of hope for many seeking sobriety and faith. Despite the enjoyment and success of the bar, changing times and increasing gang activity led to dissatisfaction. Tyson finished her memoir and considered coaching, but God's plan led them to sell the bar and retire into a life of travel. She reflects on the challenges they faced and overcame, and encourages others to trust in God's timing and plans, which she believes are always better than our own.

Opinions

The author believes that God's timing and plans are perfect and superior to human plans.
She holds a strong conviction that their bar played a significant role in helping people find sobriety and faith.
The author expresses that blessings often come with challenges, and God's presence helped them through difficult times.
Tyson suggests that unanswered prayers may be a result of God having a better plan for one's life.
She is grateful for the life they have now, living in their motorhome, and considers it a blessing beyond measure.
The author encourages those waiting for prayers to be answered not to lose hope, as God's plan will be awesome.

God’s Plan Unfolded (It Was So Much Better Than Mine)

Photo of our current home, a 45-foot Entegera Anthem. Home is now where we park it.

It would be fifteen years before God blessed my plan to sell the bar. My husband got sober in 2005. We sold the bar in 2018. It was amazing how many people we were able to help at Johnny’s. People asked for my husband’s number because they knew he’d embraced a program, and they were ready to get help. He took people to AA meetings and then Celebrate Recovery.

We invited people from the bar to church on Sundays, and many joined us. One time we had such a motley crew there we were waiting for the roof to cave in. People came to know Jesus, got sober, and addressed a lot of problems. We were blessed, and business boomed.

For a time, owning and running the bar was enjoyable. I finished and self-published my memoir in 2013. I was blogging and considered being a coach for codependent women. I planned to take my writing career seriously when we sold Johnny’s. I thought we’d stay in Hollister, and I’d take on a few coaching clients.

However, times were changing. The regular crowd of farmers, attorneys, and business people that kept us busy all day were dying off and retiring. The gang activity at night was scary. The young punks that made me crazy and caused problems was now the crowd that paid the bills with their patronage. I was not a happy camper anymore. God knew I was at my limit.

I love the Message Bible translation of 1 Corinthians 10:13 — No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.

God got us out of the business when it was best for His plans for our lives. As always, His timing was perfect. We are retired and enjoying life on the road full-time on our lovely 45-foot motorhome. We are more blessed than I can say.

If you’ve been waiting for something to happen, and you’ve been fervently praying for it, don’t lose hope. It may not go the way you planned. The good news is that when it goes according to God’s plan, it will be awesome.

Here is a longer post I wrote about the B&B disappointment.

Blessings are usually accompanied by challenges, and we had many. God got us through them all. If you’d like to read my memoir chronicling a lot of crazy stuff, the link is below. Thanks for coming along for my short series. God bless you and have a great 2024.

God’s Plan Unfolded (It Was So Much Better Than Mine)

Do You Have Unanswered Prayers?

There May Be a Good Reason for it.

Born Again in a Biker Bar: A Memoir

Born Again in a Biker Bar depicts the story of a raging codependent and her alcoholic husband. It is centered in famous…