At The Bargain Hunter, the proof is in the people
Through good times and bad, God uses people he brings into our lives who allow us to be both on the giving and receiving end of being there for each other.
As we wrap up our celebration of the launch of AloNovus 50 years ago, my thoughts gravitate to the many individuals and businesses which have been instrumental in the success, even the survival, of this company.
I am often reminded of how, through good times and bad, God uses people He brings into our lives who allow us to be both on the giving and receiving end of being there for each other. The best part about it is, that these people always seem to arrive in the perfect moment to be blessed, or to be able to bless others.
Looking at the recent articles about the beginnings of the Bargain Hunter, I am once again reminded that the eventful moments in our lives — while often driven by our desires or hard work — are not just chance happenings, but are often paired with divine appointments with folks who cross our path.
My parents, Abe and Fran Mast, started a paper in 1973 partially because they had a local business owner with foresight approach them as a willing partner in what would become a vehicle to connect a community.
Robert Dickie III once said that we don’t always see God’s plan in our lives until we can look in the rearview mirror and see the steppingstones on which we hopped to get where we are today. It’s only then when we see how it wasn’t just a collection of random steps that made us who we are, but an orchestrated plan including people and places which shaped our lot in this life.
I reflect on my own existence and often wonder, “How did I get here?” And by here, I mean Holmes County.
Many of you may recall that my dad was a basketball coach, but you would be surprised to know that we came within an eyelash of moving to Cincinnati for a job as head basketball coach at a AAA high school. Though he was offered the job, when it came time to sign the contract later that same day, the offer was rescinded, and thus Holmes County became my home and future. If I had been raised in Southwest Ohio, there would be no Bargain Hunter, I would never have met my wife or had my two children — that’s a sobering idea.
Our entire life experience may hinge on one pivotal decision, very possibly a circumstance that is beyond our control. But it is never out of God’s control.
My parents often say that the Bargain Hunter was ordained by God. They don’t say it flippantly, and I know they are not alone.
Our community is a unique area with a population built on faith-based, hard-working and generous people. The Bargain Hunter could never have been what it is without the participation of so many local entrepreneurs who have cast great vision and taken great risks. That’s what makes it such a blessing — we all grew Holmes County together.
We have been privileged to play a part in this community for five decades, because of the tremendous individuals we have been blessed to work with in our own company. Each person has their own flair and perspective in life, yet we have been able to come together as a working family to present products that reflect the pulse in so many communities every week. It has indeed been an honor not only to work alongside these people, but to build lasting relationships throughout the days and years we spend together.
In the end, I just want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that we are not here by chance. God has a purpose for us all in this moment in time, and He uses people to be His hands and feet, to help and to bless. So, take a minute to reflect on what steppingstones you have navigated which brought you to this moment. Thank your heavenly Father for what and who you have, and look for opportunities, and people, that He sends your way today.