Drew and I, along with our SOMA missional community family, hosted a house concert at our home for Cinco de Mayo this last week. With twinkling icicle lights both inside and out, as well as an oriental rug as a foundation for a myriad of instruments, we transformed our humble home into a intimate concert venue that night.
A few days before, Bentley and I walked around the neighborhood to invite our block of neighbors. God gave us favor that day with nice weather which gave us an opportunity to talk face-to-face with almost everyone and not just leave little flyers on their doorsteps.
I met the widow on the corner for the first time and was introduced to her through her caregiver, Lorena, who informed me she has Alzheimer's. We chatted for a moment and she confided that sometimes Mrs. M wanders. I assured her that if I ever saw her out and about without Lorena, I would help walk her back to her home.
I talked to one young guy, Jesse, who remembered us from when Drew invited him to our St. Patrick's Day neighborhood party. He had turned 21 that night and had other plans. I hoped he would come this time. I loved that he remembered that we like to celebrate.
Another household has long been considered the ostracized family on the block. Their home isn't necessarily up-kept, and their five home-schooled children who are now just entering into the public school system even self-admit to being socially awkward. Even still, several times, usually during days in the summer, I hear the oldest daughter playing her guitar and singing sweetly on the porch. It always makes me stop for a moment to listen. When we knocked on the door, three of the daughters and their mother answered and I invited them to bring their instruments and voices to the house concert. I hoped and prayed that moment that they would come.
The night of the party, several of the neighbors we already have good relationships with came to enjoy the festivities. But as Drew opened up the night with a Beatles cover of "Revolution," in walked the four sisters from across the street. Let the glimpse of the kingdom begin. It wasn't until they took hold of the microphones and the oldest played her guitar that their harmonies shocked even me. It was a divine moment. The youngest girl is about 12-years-old, and her oldest sister, about 20 and their voices combined confidently in a beautiful ballad. I kept thinking, "Lord! This is truly what your kingdom looks like." All of us in one room, neighbors, but unlikely friends, some with maracas, some with egg shakers, all in awe and singing along.
It made me think that Heaven might truly look like one big celebratory sing-a-long... And if God calls us to be like Christ to others and give people a glimpse of who He is through how we live and love each other, I hope our neighbors and friends saw God that night too.
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