By Sylvia Gaston
That’s what I’m going to say to my neighbors – first in a
note, then . . . who knows?
You see, this is a great time to get to know my neighbors.
No, I didn’t just move in. I’ve lived in the same house for
28 years and I’ve had the same neighbors on each side of me for that entire
time. Recently, one neighbor moved and I’ve barely gotten to know the family
that bought their house. We know 3 of the families who live a little further
down the road but not really well.
As Christians, we are to be the heart, hands, and feet of
Jesus. He went out of his way to care for the poor, sick, and outcast. Jesus
was all about relationships. In fact, He told His followers that the only thing
more important than loving our neighbors is loving God. He also said that
people would know we were Christ-followers by our love.
I’m more than a little embarrassed that I know so little
about the people who live on my street so I am committing to take advantage of
this dumb pandemic and do things that either A) I haven’t done in a long while,
or B) I’ve never done.
In the “A” category, I have done 4 jigsaw puzzles with my
family, ridden my bike for the first time in YEARS, and am painting my kitchen
cupboards (yikes!).
In the “B” category, I hope to finally learn at least one
song on the piano and to get to know about 10-15 of my neighbors.
My plan is to tape a note to their doors (while wearing
gloves) and introduce myself and my crazy family. I will probably include a
practical gift of some sort to bless them. The note will begin with “Hi! Are
you OK?” and then I’m not so sure what comes after that. What I want to say,
though, is . . . isn’t this is a great time to get to know each other and be
there for each other? You know, be neighborly.
I have so many ideas rolling around in my head about where
this might lead:
-
Encouraging notes to one another?
-
A community mailbox for prayers and prayer
requests?
-
A social media group or newsletter?
-
Meet each other’s practical needs (groceries or
grocery runs, errands, financial help, yard work)?
-
Share surplus goods (i.e. we will have waaaay
too many tomatoes in a few weeks)?
-
Invite each other to our houses to watch church
online together, once we’re able (of course, 10 or fewer people with health
precautions)?
But, of course, this all depends on how, or if, my neighbors
respond. I pray it leads to some great relationships and a good old-fashioned
support system.
