I got to do something fun today… but first, an important PSA.
7 Brew does not have brewed coffee.
I just wanted a cup of coffee—hot, black, no dairy, no calories.
“Oh, a cold brew?” the young lady asked.
“No, I want it hot.”
“An Americano?”
“That’s it!”
They have a gazillion drinks on their menu, but somehow 7 Brew—whose slogan is “Drive-Thru Coffee”—doesn’t actually serve brewed coffee.
As I was paying $4.28 for my large hot Americano, the cashier smiled and asked, “Doing anything fun today?”
“As a matter of fact,” I said, “I just did something that was SO much fun.”
Ten days ago, my friend Joann lost her home and everything in it to a house fire. Thankfully, no one was home when the fire started, and no one was hurt, but she, her husband, and their 13-year-old daughter lost everything.
Joann is part of our Tuesday Women in the Word group. As soon as I heard what had happened, I reached out to our leadership teams to ask a simple question: What would actually help right now?
We quickly realized that what they needed wasn’t another gift basket or a bag of goodies. Those things are thoughtful, but they weren’t the greatest need.
They needed money.
Money for clothes. Shoes. Toiletries. Food. Lodging. The ordinary necessities that suddenly become extraordinary expenses when everything you own is gone.
So we sent an email to both Women in the Word groups and posted the need on our Facebook page.
And God’s people responded.
This morning, I had the incredible privilege of placing $125 in gift cards and a cashier’s check for $3,250 into Joann’s hands.
What a joy.
When God gives His people the opportunity to meet a need, this is what happens. We become His hands and feet. We love one another in tangible ways.
Jesus said,
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Today, that love looked like cash for groceries, clothes, and everyday necessities.
And it was one of the most joyful errands I’ve run in a very long time.
