What we are doing is something really beautiful for God.
Spring has arrived - Boston style! This means we already have seen 60 degree weather, are waging war with seasonal allergies, and have had some "winter mix" (aka slush & cold) too. Ah....New England, we smile fondly at you.
On a recent Sunday, our family was scheduled to share about The Boston Project with Rock Village Church in southern MA. Cady, Grace and myself stayed at home due to allergy sickness, but Meg went with Paul for moral support and the free Dunkin' Donuts breakfast along the way! That morning Cady, Grace and I gathered on our bed, so we could pray for Megan and Paul. Before prayer, Cady asked why they went to visit this church. I shared again how our family and The Boston Project staff live in our neighborhood to make a difference for God. I gave examples like how we spend time getting to know and care for our neighbors, how we organize fun activities at the park, build community gardens together, teach the Bible, and more. Cady's eyes welled up with tears.
"Mommy, stop. Please stop. I'm going to cry." Cady put one hand on her heart and fluttered the other one back and forth in front of her eyes.
"Cady, what's wrong, why are you upset, why are you crying?" I couldn't imagine what was stirring all this emotion so suddenly.
"Nothing, mama. I just get it. It's beautiful; I never thought about it this way before. Our family, the staff, how we live here and our neighbors. What we are doing is really something beautiful for God." Tears rolled down her cheeks, and mine too. Then Grace got emotional too. Cady continued with her 8 year-old-epiphany.
"And if Papa and Megan share at this church what we and our neighbors do, then maybe they will want to see if they can do the same things with their neighbors too. We can all live something beautiful for God." My word, I wasn't expecting that one.
Thank you God, for the reminder that amongst our fallen world and our hurting community, we are still a neighborhood making something beautiful for you.
