It’s time for our annual shout-out to work, a very important part of life. I marvel (it provokes wonder!) that things work as well as they do…that people work as well as they do to provide for all of our needs.

I was on the Home Depot web site recently looking for a faucet for a new vanity. “Do you want that delivered today at no extra charge?” So from our deck, using an iPad, my wife and I said, tongue in cheek, “I guess that’s acceptable!” And the faucet arrived before lunch. Amazing.

And there’s nothing more amazing than The Country Market in Estes Park.

On the far side of town from where we stay is a standard-size, full-service Safeway. On our side of town is The Country Market, considerably smaller, maybe a quarter as big or less. And in more than 10 years of shopping at The Country Market, I have ALWAYS found what I went there for: handwarmers in the winter, medicine, soap, leftover containers, almond milk, etc. It’s a small store, just a few shelves, but it’s all there. It’s like magic. And if you ask any employee where something is, they will tell you. They are extraordinarily good at their craft…and they know it. Here’s an excerpt from their website:

We know you.

Whether you’re an Estes Park local or one of our visitors (welcome!), we know what you need.

How do we know? Because we help hundreds of locals and visitors like you every single day. And, after doing this for many, many years, we’ve gotten very good at it. Combine that with our friendly service (if you’re looking for self-checkout, this ain’t the place) and a much faster checkout experience, why would you go anywhere else?

The Country Market is a locally owned…grocery store…[which] offers a wide array of fresh organic produce, cheeses, meats, and other natural and locally sourced foods and friendly, faster service than area big-brand stores.

The store also offers everything you need for your Estes Park and Rocky Mountain adventure, including s’mores supplies, propane, firewood, ice, and more. And if you’re hankering for some grub, stop by for one of our famous made-to-order deli sandwiches, espresso drinks, and ice cream!

If you need something, chances are good that we have it. Stop on by! We’ll show you ourselves.

Kudos to the owners, managers, whoever decides what products to carry (how can they have everything?!), stockers, and checkout clerks. It’s a marvel. An experience in wonder every time I go.

Don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. (Colossians 3.23, MSG)

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90.17, NIV)