By Kristina Flores-Muñoz, Children's Ministry Manager
There are moments in life that remind you just how beautiful people can be.
On August 19th, a really bad storm hit our area and left quite a bit of damage. For my family, one of the biggest challenges was an old tree in their front yard. The tree came down in front of their house, completely covering the entire front of the home.
At first, it was overwhelming. There was so much to clear, and we needed to create a way for my family to safely get out of the house. So, we started working. And then something happened that I will never forget. Neighbors noticed what we were doing and began coming over to help. People brought tools. Others simply showed up and started doing whatever they could. Little by little, with the help of so many people, we were able to clear most of the tree and make a path out.
Nobody had to be asked. Nobody needed anything in return. They just saw a need and served. As I stood there watching people come together, I couldn't help but see God's heart reflected in them. There was something incredibly beautiful about watching people give their time, their energy, their tools, and their strength simply because someone else needed help. It filled me with joy.
And I want to be clear: this isn't me trying to get people to volunteer with us. That's not the point of sharing this story. I was simply so moved by the generosity of the people who showed up for my family that it made me want to do the same. I want to be the person who notices when someone needs help. I want to be willing to stop what I'm doing, lend a hand, share what I have, and serve wherever God gives me the opportunity. I want to allow God to use me in the same way I saw Him use so many people that day.
I've always believed that serving others matters, but experiencing it so personally gave that belief a whole new meaning. Sometimes God's love doesn't show up in the ways we expect. Sometimes it looks like a neighbor walking across the street with a chainsaw. Sometimes it looks like someone bringing a tool from their garage. Sometimes it looks like a person quietly stepping in and saying, "How can I help?"
And I experienced that same kind of kindness again just yesterday. My husband and I were trying to get a machine for his business inside the shop, and we were struggling. It was one of those situations where you realize you could really use an extra set of hands. Two people saw what we were trying to do and immediately offered to help. Again, they didn't have to. They simply saw a need and stepped in.
Those moments have made me think a lot about what community really means. We often talk about community as a place or a group of people, but I think it is so much more than that. Community is people noticing. Community is people caring. Community is people showing up. And sometimes, in those simple acts of kindness, we get a glimpse of something much bigger than ourselves.
For me, that is where I see God's serving heart. The tree, the storm, the machine, and the helping hands may seem like completely unrelated moments. But together, they have reminded me of something I don't want to forget: we were never meant to do everything alone. There is so much beauty in people coming together. And honestly, I'm just grateful that I got to experience it.