i might not get out much, but i see.
with spiritual eyes and the help of the friendly west-side grapevine, i see:
richard who has had his prayers for a new place to live and healing for his neck and shoulders answered decisively and promptly, but who doesn't even seem amazed by it.
sixteen year-old tammy keeping company with these "big sisters," risking allowing us to see her life, and awakening our hearts to advocate for her.
the vacant houses for sale all around and the redemptive potential each one holds when either another member of the body will move into it and make it a home, or when a broken and needy one will move in, not knowing they've just moved into Church (which is what He is turning this neighborhood into).
my husband stepping up to the plate of leadership, wearing confidence that comes from knowing he's stepping into God's call on his life, shepherding hearts with a quiet humility that we all could learn from.
danmike (not his real name) and chelsea picking out colors and suits and a yard in which to get married in july, and sharing meals with married couples so that they can learn how to walk in this way, too.
a really horrible thing happening in the house across the ally from mine (it involved a nose being bitten off), and the ensuing prison time our friend steve is now doing. i hear the Spirit whisper that Papa has plucked steve up out of the mire; the sentence is grace.
the coopers being quietly faithful in small things, then getting crash courses in house-purchasing and what-to-do-when-you-get-in-a-car-accident-that-totals-your-car.
amber, moving out into a new home with a renewed relationship and a growing excitement to mother this third and unexpected child that she thought she couldn't keep.
tony writing faithfully and keeping long hours to form the words that will communicate to you the dreams of God that are hatching in our hearts for Kingdom projects while jenn holds down the fort at home with those five precious children, her students and disciples, who are growing in wisdom and stature.
intoxicated neighbors feeling free to deliver a message or a prayer or a testimony through the microphone at love feast.
harvey pressing into Jesus for wholeness and freedom with the company of a few faithful friends who meet in early morning hours together each week at the boiler room.
dave always coming around again, asking whether we're still cool, because no matter how many times he wrongs us or gets angry at us, somehow our acceptance is something he cannot stand to think about losing.
neighbors walking, biking, and pushing shopping carts down near-empty streets, sometimes calling out their west-side greetings, sometimes even with a smile.
matthew and zachary coming to love feast every week, bringing friends, and helping set up and serve; they've become so involved that they wonder why they aren't also considered boiler room interns.
the smiths saying yes to God's directions for their family, even if their yes is coming a few years after-the-fact, because they know that there's no such thing as too-late when it comes to saying yes to Him.
the big green and white house on stocking, across from the Family Pantry, that jordan b has been working on for well over a year now, doing every detail well so that it will be just right when he finally moves in; i see that this reveals some things about his character.
our friends at bridge street house of prayer growing in clarity about their mission and in breadth with their team members and their projects, and i bless them.
people giving generously so that this movement of God can continue to grow; He gives us provision through His people, and sometimes the most surprising ones.
the way that our neighbors light up with pride and pleasure when they see hazel at love feast, as though she is everyone's niece or grand-daughter.
the volunteer groups who bring all the food and serve it at love feasts each week, and i think about what a ceaseless miracle this is: that every week God feeds so many bellies with food and Word.
new faces in our discipleship intensive coming together to unearth some wisdom about following Jesus, and i wonder about how these new relationships will blossom and grow in the coming months.
chelsea g painting lions, kristen quilting, emily decorating a new space, april taking portraits for a giant collage, jenn always knitting sweaters and cowls, teddy writing simple songs to play on his banjo, cam planning creative menus for love feast, and the en gedi women and the 8th street gals getting all of us to dress up according to themes. the spirit of creativity is moving.
a rotating potluck for all the 14 west side houses on thursday nights and an open brown-bag lunch hour at the boiler room on tuesdays.
zeal and passion and prophecy and healing and hunger for the gifts of the Spirit to become a natural way of operating in this family.
carol smiling at her reflection in a mirror because she loves the haircut chelsea gave her at love feast.
david g coming by to report that he's been sober and working for 8 months now and giving God all the glory for this new life he's been allowed.
pilgrims passing through and a sweet sister coming home (at least for a while).
...
i see that He is faithful and moving in a million small ways. i want to stop and notice, to put down words that attest to His goodness here.
::brooke::
