Days 6: Grace experienced

Continuing on with Matt 5:38-48...
I had in mind yesterday when I wrote "to be continued" on the subject of going above and beyond in your actions towards others, that I would get to write about ways I was able to do just that. I had 2 hang-ups with that today. First of all, the very next section I read this morning reads "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them." (Matt 6:1) Haha. In other words, don't toot your own horn. Point taken. There will be no horn-tooting here. But, I do need to sing some other people's praises. People in my life that went above and beyond today to go an extra mile with me, give more than what was asked for, and just plain blessed my socks off. Here are the examples: (I hope you all don't mind that I'm writing about this!)

1. A member of the extended family, Jon- we actually figured out yesterday that he's Seth's first cousin-once-removed- came to stay the night with us last night. Apart from being completely delightful, incredible with Stella, and not whiny at all about our 85 degree third story guest room; he treated us to some much needed fans and rugs from Home Depot for our new place. When Seth protested, He said "Nope, that's what family is for." What a GIFT.

2. My sweet friend, Ari, whom I've mentioned before, put her day on hold not once, but twice to help me unpack boxes, bring lunch and dessert, be a listening ear, and organize my kitchen. Though she has PLENTY on her plate -She is a mother of an adorable 1 year old, friend to many, constant host, and wife of our pastor at The Well (www.boulderwell.org)- she went above and beyond in showing me kindness and grace and servanthood today.

3. Another dear friend, Kim came to help me organize and refresh my wardrobe. I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant and hormonal or just plain discontent, but I stand in front of my clothes in the morning for 5 minutes becoming frustrated at my "lack of outfits." That is super dumb and is really humiliating to write, but it's true. So, Kim spent 3 hours of her afternoon off (after a particularly long week at work for her) and gave me a full on wardrobe consult. She put together amazing outfits that I never would have imagined, staged them and took pictures, and on top of all of it went and bought me a cozy gray cardigan to complete my ensemble.

My heart is full and my eyes welling as I write about the gifts given to me in just one day! This is community. This is the body of Christ being lived out towards one another before a world that is watching closely. What did I do to merit any of this? Not a thing. In the same way "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8