from the inside

Today 4 people left our sunday gathering and headed out to different homes in the community with a problem that needed attention. The team (initiated by a couple) discovered a few unique, small, house per house needs and took the afternoon to help. I joined them on their last house to lend a hand and see where things were at. It was great to see the joy in the team's faces, the grace they demonstrated to these people, and the desire to just do it.
I don't mention this to bring attention to anyone, but somehow I was both encouraged and challenged. Encouraged b/c I love to see stuff like this happen from the inside out - an idea that comes from within our community and little push needs to be done to make it happen. Challenged b/c this sort of stuff isn't the big stuff, the in the news stuff, the glorious stuff, but it seems to be the way of Jesus.
From the inside is how God works. And inside gets lived out.

p.s. I was also encouraged today b/c I thought for sure our team was too slim to make everything happen at Westside. It was an off week for scheduling teams. But people came through, served, and gave their best. People that helped other people move the day before, people that put on a conference for 250 women the day before, people who served 2-3 weeks in a row, people who have a 4 month baby to keep an eye one, people who just pitched in b/c there's something to do. I love that!