Sometimes, a simple act of goodwill is all that is required to make great change. Sometimes, a simple spark can ignite a massive fire. Sometimes, we just need to say “I will…” to start a domino effect of charity in the lives around us.
I say all of this, because I was inspired again this weekend by the good work that my friends Tim and Becky are doing in Atlanta. In my mind, they embody a “just do something” mindset. They have a heart to follow God, and in seeking to honor Him, they have found themselves at the helm of an awesome movement.
While I won’t be able do it justice, I will attempt to give a very brief summary of what these guys are doing in their area. To help make their neighborhood a better place, they are giving kids the opportunity to earn bikes. The way kids earn bikes is by collecting bags of trash, or doing other similar projects that helps make the neighborhood become a cleaner and healthier place. In providing bikes to kids in this way, they are teaching work ethic, creating community and giving kids a beneficial way to spend their free time. This work is brilliant, because they are empowering kids to take responsibility for their personal life as well as the life of their neighborhood. For more about their work, you should check out the “about” page of their website.
What started as a simple act of wisdom and kindness to one child in their neighborhood has turned into a big community revitalization movement in the Adair Park section of Southwest Atlanta. While their story is very cool, and I encourage you to read more about it at www.beltlinebikeshop.org, I am highlighting them today for two big reasons:
We can learn from them
While there are many different lesson’s you could get from the work that Tim and Becky are doing, perhaps the biggest lesson is that they are doing SOMETHING. When you talk to this couple, they didn’t have some big vision or dream for their neighborhood (at least not at first). They moved into the neighborhood, and when an opportunity to be a good neighbor came up, they acted. In a very simple moment, they saw a need in their community, and recognized that they had the power to act, so they acted. For them, serving one youth turned into two…and then into many. They are carrying the heart of Jesus into their area, and I think the gospel is coming alive to kids and parents because Tim and Becky chose to do something.
We can help them
This past weekend, Cami and I got to have dinner with this couple, as well as a few other couples, and hear the latest updates about their work in Southwest Atlanta. As they talked, they mentioned that they have an opportunity to be awarded a $6000 grant – if they can raise $6000 to match the grant. As they talked, I couldn’t help but think “we can do something about this!” So, while I am working on my own ideas of how to help support them, I wanted to invite each of us to support them in a very small and simple way.
If you have read this blog, I am inviting you to click on this link and give $5 towards their efforts. If you feel the desire to give more, please do. However, my invite to you is to take a moment and make a $5 donation* towards the Beltline Bike Shop and all of their efforts. This small donation won’t make a huge difference to your bank account, but collectively, we could make a huge difference for the kids of Atlanta.
*What a $5 donation means…
- 1 less $5 footlong at Subway – 1 more kid making his neighborhood a safe place
- 1 less Venti Frap at Starbucks – 1 more child learning healthy habits
- A few less iTunes purchases – A few more kids learning work ethic
- Feeding less of my wants – supporting more of someone else’s needs






