Every day she walked by in her floppy hat and giant sunglasses. She had a stick in one hand and a small dog’s leash in the other. Every day I was out in front of the house doing yard work. After several days of exchanging niceties, I asked her about the dog and if she lived in the neighborhood. She was dog-sitting and told me her address a couple blocks away. When I drove by her house, she had a very unkempt yard. I stopped and knocked on her door and offered to mow the lawn, she declined saying someone was coming to mow it. She invited me in when I gave her my phone number and offer to help with grocery shopping, she was 96 and partially blind and showed me her magnifying machine to help her read.
God puts us where he wants us, in geography and history. God wants us to love the people where we live regardless of age, politics, ethnicity, religion or offenses. Last week’s activities were about praying for these people around us in our neighborhoods, schools and workplaces. This week let’s take some “steps” towards loving our neighbors.
Take a prayer walk.
- Pray for opportunities to meet your neighbors. Ask God to help you “see” and make observations.
- Walk so your neighbors can see you. Take the time to stop and talk with them.
- Ask questions, be curious, show interest, listen.
- Interact. If God or faith come up, ask if they have a spiritual background and if it was a good experience. Be ready in return to share where you’re at with God right now.
- If you can’t go for a walk, be available to your neighbors by hanging around in your garage, front yard or porch. And remember, walk over to talk to them, don’t just wave!
My elderly neighbor’s lawn never got mowed. No one answered the notes I put on her door. Soon after a FOR SALE sign went up and the house now has new owners and a new look. More opportunities are here in our neighborhood with people moving in and out. More doors to open to share the way of Jesus. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. 1 Timothy 2:1
By Donna Burns
