Diamond in the Rough

A small but mighty team of 6, Darlene, Daniel, Karen, Tim and Connie from Woodbury Lutheran and Ken from Woodbury Community Church, worked in Stockton on Saturday, Sept. 15.

I was dismayed that our team was so small, because I had a laundry list of jobs for them, with low priority for Vi and her antique shop. God had other plans -- absolutely no one, not even people we had made appointments with on Thursday, was home -- so Vi got the team's undivided attention.

I have been whining about the work in Vi's building and how time consuming it is and how there just seems to be no reason to saving this old building, once again I am convicted that God has amazing ways... Even with stubborn old buildings (and stubborn old work coordinators!).

As I said, the team gave Vi's project their undivided attention and finishing taking out the old plaster and lath walls. As they worked, Vi shared with a member of our team that she was going to extend her living quarters into the expansive shop, a really good idea our team thought, and one that gave them more defined purpose for the work they were doing.

When they began pulling up the horrid floor, imagine their surprise to discover a beautiful old wood floor, albeit in need of some TLC, under a portion of the plywood overlay. Combine that with the tin ceilings, and we're slowly coming to recognize the building may be a bit of a diamond in the rough that has just been waiting for restoration.

OK, God, OK, we'll keep working on what seemed to be an insurmountable task. We've come a long way, with Vi's insistence and your persistent working in our hearts. Good thing God's (and Vi's) visions are bigger than mine!

Every team member I talked with today said yesterday was a very good day. Aren't they all when we're serving our brothers and sisters in the way God commands?