The church across the street ministered to my household today and they’ll probably never know.
We got nine inches of snow last night. (And I thought February meant the end of snow!) The dog was bouncing around, begging to go for a walk. There was no way I could walk down the sidewalk with snow up to my knees and the dog is too squirrely to try to walk in the street.
With those big ol’ puppy dog eyes looking at me, a solution just had to be found. There it was – across the street. The church had plowed its lots and scooped the sidewalks clean. Off we went, three trips around the parking lot. The dog loved it and came back home and promptly jumped in the chair to sleep.
Today, I am thankful for a church that I do not attend, have never been inside. This church is serving its neighborhood by its graceful and welcoming presence.
It reminded me how during the December ice storm, when all the houses on the block were dark, the church was the first building to have electricity restored. I fought feelings of envy, even as I pointed out that no one sleeps at the church. It was symbolic, though, of how churches are to be lighthouses in a dark world.
Jesus said the church is His bride. Obviously, He was talking about the people of God, not a brick building with stained glass windows and an asphalt parking lot. Every bride I’ve been around, though, cares about her appearance and wants to be at her very best for beloved.
I hope our world can see the love we have for our Savior shining out of the lights of our church buildings.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ lvoed the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:27
