Nashville Floods - The Best Days of my Life

The waters have receded, many businesses have re-opened, houses are smelling of mold and,many people have never been happier in their lives.
On Tuesday I served alongside of members of Journey Church as we helped a couple move into their small apartment, after leaving their waterlogged home.
I arrived at their home to see three pastors and countless others loading furniture and personal belongings to the line of waiting trucks and SUV's. There was sweat, laughing and tears as the community of volunteers worked side-by-side.
The couple whose home had been ravaged by storm waters were laughing and joining in with the celebration of community.
Their story is like countless others in Nashville: flood waters in home, personal items destroyed, memories thrown away before the mold sets in.
Like many others the smiles on their faces are a result of the love that emerges with the rising waters. Nothing could destroy the spirit of community that emerged from the waters.
On Tuesday I experienced the resiliency of the human spirit. I saw joy and love sparkle in the eyes of people who were left with so little, and felt richer than they ever had.
The couple who had lost so much told me their story, not unlike so many others: water, destruction, strangers, community, love.
Alice continued to tell of a church member walking by, asking what they needed help with. That night she and her husband were spending the night - and subsequent nights - in the home of someone she had never met before, receiving help from, people who wanted nothing in return, watching their belongings being loaded in trucks from people who wanted no recognition, laughing and loving with hearts they would never forget.
When I was leaving, all of the belongings wiped down outside and brought safely into their small, clean apartment; I hugged and Sally, and with tears in her eyes she whispered, "This has been the best experience of my life."
I stepped back.
The dreaded words: flood waters, devastation, insurance, FEMA had been replaced with: community, caring, strangers connected at the heart, love.
I looked into Sally's tear-filled eyes that sparkled with an excitement about life, people, humanity and I saw what she was seeing. The vehicles that were pulling away from the apartment complex, with promises to return when they moved back into their house months from now, were all being driven by God. That WOULD make it the best experience of a lifetime.