The Kingdom is Among You

Sadly, the neighbors across the alley have moved away.  (See "Bad Neighbors" post from May)  But before they did, something quite incredible happened.  Marta was working in the garden one day when the boys from across the alley came out to help her.  As they were working the boys began talking about the other children who lived on the block and asking Marta why they never play with them.  Marta reminded them of the time that the paintings, which had been hung in the alley by our landlords, had been slashed with a knife suspiciously after a large fight with the landlords over trespassing.  She explained how the Landlords were very hurt and angry over this event and told their granddaughter that she could not play with them which in turn caused the parents of her friends to not allow their children to play with the boys either.   The boys were distraught, claiming that it was their cousin who had slashed the paintings, and asked Marta what they could do to change the situation.   Marta suggested that they could write apology letters to the landlords.  The boys instantly became excited and jumped on the opportunity, running up to our apartment to trace their hands and color pieces of paper that would transmit their repentance and hopefully forgiveness.  When they were done, Marta had the boys deliver the letters to our landlords and to their surprise they were able to talk to the landlord face to face and explain themselves.  After a short lecture and clarifying of the rules the two parties shook hands and parted, at least in part, reconciled.  

I have been amazed recently at how the kingdom of God shows up in the most unexpected places.  Jesus himself taught that it will not come with "careful observation" but that it is among us.  We often try to create the Kingdom of God through movements or programs but it is when we are simply loving people and being the people of God that some of the greatest stories come from.  Subsequently, I have never been more proud of my wife.  I see in her a true citizen of the kingdom.