Neighbors

Last night, our corgi-mix, Daisy, and I were just getting back from our walk when I saw our neighbor headed straight toward me with a look of sadness written all over her face.  I braced myself for some bad news.

I soon learned that their little corgi, Maggie, had suddenly become ill and passed away only a few days earlier.  We cried together.

Maggie and her sister, Sophie, were the cutest little dog duo our street had ever known and now one of the two was gone.  Even Daisy seemed sad by the news.

Seeing my neighbor this way made me stop to think long and hard about neighbors in general and how everyone has both blessing and difficulty going on in their lives at any given time. It's just the way life is.

With that in mind, how about coming along with me for a few minutes while I share some thoughts on the subject of neighbors. It'll be a little journey we'll take together as I highlight a few close-ups of some of the people I see almost every day on my own street.  I hope it'll encourage you, as it has me...

On the left side of my house there is a beautiful older lady, Helen, who lives alone, after having shared a great life with Dave, her husband of over 50 years until he passed away two years ago. These two worked hard together running their own business while bringing up five children.  Helen misses her husband every day, but she still has the devotion of her children and the consolation of many good memories, which is no small thing.  We especially love her Southern accent which is like a ray of sunshine that wiggles its way into our every conversation.  Hers is a voice we love to hear.

Another couple we know bravely tackle the challenge of raising a child with autism, and from our vantage point, all five family members demonstrate a deep devotion to one another.  They go camping a lot, and that seems to be their "family glue."  One thing's for sure, this family doesn't complain about the challenges they face, rather they carry on with a special kind of "family-first" grace that we see up close every single day.  They are amazing.

We also have a single dad with three children living close by on our street.  It's never easy for any single parent, of course, and it isn't for our friend either.  Still, we love to watch this family hang out together outside where they enjoy a fire pit, do homework in the Adirondack chairs, play in the driveway - all the while embracing an unhurried way of life.  Sometimes, when the wind blows just the right way, I get treated to the wonderful smells of great meals being served up for three children who enjoy a committed dad's culinary skills.

Here's the thing.  All across America, and on your street and mine, God knows all about each one of us.  He sees right into our lives - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  He knows us completely.  He totally understands all about what is going on in our heads and what might be troubling our hearts. And He loves us all the time, no matter what. 

Here's the proof:

>"You are acquainted with all my ways." (Psalm 139:3)

>"Cast you cares on the Lord and He will sustain you." (Psalm 55:22)

> "God is love." (1 John 4:8)

>"I have called you friends." (John 15:15)

Today, as our world becomes ever more impersonal, and some would say, cold, it's even more important to remember that we are all each other's neighbor.  It is my hope that we find fresh energy and reason to be there for one another, the people who live close by.

Be that special neighbor, starting today and every day thereafter.

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>"Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:11).