Monday, July 19, 2010

New Post today

I know I haven't put anything here for a while.  I do wonder if anyone is out there reading anyway.  I follow a lot of other people's blogs [see the page here] so I try to keep up.  But one-way communication is a pretty lonely spot.
But this story needs telling...
Yesterday after church, someone parked a truck in the driveway of the church.  The truck had broken down, and two couples were engaged in trying to analyze the problem and find a way to fix it.  They hung out for a long time, sitting in the shade of the driveway tree.  [Those trees are a blessing!]  Since I was working in the office in the afternoon, I checked on them every once in a while, seeing if they had water or wanted a place to cool off.  I'm sure the temperature outside was above 90.  They were gracious and even left a contribution to the church.  Eventually they had to have the truck towed.
If only it were so easy to help with other things that are broken down.  Our part of Arlington looks so nice on the outside, but I'm sure there are broken places on the insides of the homes in our neighborhood.  I wonder if having a nice building and a beautiful garden around the church is a barrier.  It sends a message that we have it all together, and anyone who comes by ought to have it all together, too.  Not true, of course, but someone walking [or riding] by would never suspect that.
What do you think?  Does a church building that looks great help or hinder in neighborhood hospitality?