It was just a small brown brick building on the main street of a little town.

 

It had proudly served its community as a Tastee-Freez, with its yummy chili dogs, and as a Pizzeria, where young dating couples, and families, hung out. Then it sat lonely, its windows watching the traffic whiz by, and its hope fading that it would serve its little community again. Even the prospect of being….in the eyes of a few….a respectable car dealership, that was taken away when the For Rent sign was posted on it. It was now a small brown brick building, empty of the people who once gave it a purpose. 

 

There were two young women, Christian friends, who would take frequent walks in their hometown, talking and praying as they leisurely strolled. The women would reminisce about their town with all its changes over the years, and longed for their community to grow and for the people to connect with each other again. 

 

One day a vision of opening a coffee shop, serving also with a woman’s ministry, popped up in the mind of one of those women. At first she tried to un-pop this idea, reciting her list of why she couldn’t do this….with the top reason being that she knew nothing about….and didn’t even drink….coffee.

 

But the idea stayed inflated, like a newly filled helium balloon, and floated around in her mind. When she mentioned this idea to her friend….who quickly reminded her that she indeed knew nothing about coffee….they both agreed that this would be a great community outreach.

 

They realized that God had planted the seed of this vision and they were both always open to being vessels for God’s work. Knowing that the vision was really God’s vision for their community, they willingly, amid questions and doubts of others, allowed God to start growing that seed. 

 

That small building was ecstatic when that For Rent sign was taken down. Oh, but, it didn’t know yet all the changes that it would patiently have to go through or what a wonderful purpose it would have again.

 

So the transformation began. It was weeks of hard work resulting with tired, achy physical bodies, but also with excited minds and grateful hearts. 

 

The work started inside with people scrubbing, washing, scrubbing, washing, and then….more scrubbing and washing. The woman painting and more painting, brushing and brushing….then with steady hands started the tedious trim painting. The guy with his tool belt hanging on his waist and his tool box always in his hand, going through the building installing new fixtures and making repairs on previous fixtures….including that stubborn crooked door. The ones who worked diligently assembling the tables, chairs and stools, making sure that they were all sturdy….wondering if those screws that were left over were to actually go somewhere. The persons who washed all those windows, frequently replacing the dirty water with more soapy water... knowing that the next day the widows would need to be washed again. The person who was persistent in removing the old plugs from the bathroom walls and filling the holes to prepare for painting….was thankful that she could help in this small way. The woman who told the others that it was her job to sweep at the end of the long day….every day. There was so much work to do and so few people to do it, but the transformation was amazing. Things that were years old were removed and newly bought things were brought in. There was new flooring, new appliances, new lighting, new comfy chairs, new music system….and more, much more. 

 

The freshly painted gray color of the beams was a calming contrast to the freshly painted white of the now clean walls. Even the brick walls seemed to have a fresh strength about them. When the wall décor was hung, displaying words of inspiration, encouragement and faith….the transformation was definitely seen and felt.   

 

At the end of each day, the small building would reflect on that day’s accomplishments and with anticipation for the next day….felt grateful for its new purpose. 

 

But the transformation was not limited to the inside of the building…but it continued on the outside. 

 

One priority was the roof ….where the peeling blue paint on the shingles was removed and repainted black….making the small brown brick building feel so dignified. A white picket fence was placed to enclose inviting patio tables and chairs, providing an area where people could relax among the surroundings of the small town. And to give the outside a more home-feeling….benches were added and flowers were set out in beds and window boxes. Even the paved lot became officially... a parking lot….with the addition of painted lines. 

 

Then the big day finally came. The dream of the small building was coming true….to have a purpose in its community again. People started entering its doors to order coffees or pastries. What excitement! Yet there was something different this time. A different atmosphere from the Tastee-Freez and the Pizzeria. Oh, those places were very nice, but they did not have something….that this place was being blessed with. 

 

The small building started noticing very new and comforting things. Smiles and welcomes for people as soon they entered the door….and their own smiles remained on leaving. People….not in a rush to leave…stayed to talk with those sitting in the cozy corner. Yes, there was laughter, like in the previous places, but there was also a new environment unfolding there.…Christian love for each other…both old friends and new visitors. This was being shown in prayers said whenever needed, listening ears when an experience was shared, crying on shoulders when a burden was told….and many many hugs for comfort, or just as a hello. These actions were not contained to the inside, but overflowed out the drive-thru window and even at times continued into the parking lot. And with Christian music playing in the background, praises would flow to God….silently or out loud...as normal everyday conversation was taking place.

 

It knew that this was another business, with all that was involved...the legalities, the decisions, the headaches….and that it was not established as a church. But it also knew that what this place was developing into would have a lasting impact on its community….and it was a part of it!

 

The small building’s windows still looked out watching the traffic whiz by….but cars were pulling in again! And everyday it gazed upon the bright sign in front proclaiming what purpose God had given it…through the people inside it. “True Beauty Moments” for the Spirit, Soul and Body. It didn’t feel like a small building anymore….it felt like it was a lighthouse, in its own way. Beckoning those living in its small town and those traveling through to come in for coffee and a pastry. And receive much more! Much, much more!

 

It is the small brown brick building on the main street of a little town.