One Friday I spent a few relaxing hours driving to a church in Indiana to speak at their first-ever children's ministry volunteer appreciation event. I arrived at the same moment as a lightning storm, which knocked out electricity for several square miles. As people scurried to find flashlights and other lighting options, volunteers arrived for dinner and the program in the church's main sanctuary.

While time wore on, early evening shadows evaporated with the nightfall. Expensive sound equipment remained uselessly silent. And yet this unwelcome darkness yielded to unmistakable energy.

The children's ministry director led through the storm and chaos with amazing power—clear to see from her smile and a positive attitude that never dimmed. All was well with everyone because all was well with her. And plenty of power radiated from the dedicated volunteers working the event; their "we're in this together" hearts shone brightly. As this very special event unfolded rather than unraveled, ...