Hi! Are you ok?

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.

First Things First

Pastor Tim Howard
January 10, 2009

Like many young children growing up on the east coast, I enjoyed learning and playing the game of baseball. When I hit the ball off that “T” at the ripe old age of 4 and ran directly to second base, however, I should have realized that pro ball was not going to be an option for me. The coaches, players and the people were all shouting the same thing. “You must go to first base first.” It’s a part of the game. It’s the way you play the game. It’s necessary if you are going to win the game. When you don’t go to first - FIRST, you are disqualified and lose.

What is true for the game of baseball is also true for your life. If you don’t put first things first, you will lose. No one wants to be a loser! No one makes plans to end up bankrupt and lose their business, reputation and possessions. Who marries someone with the desire to be divorced? Losing is not fun and losing is not what God intends for those who seek His wisdom. There is a way that leads to death and defeat but God’s way leads to life and victory. The teachings of Jesus help define our priorities and explain the importance of putting first things first. When you do this, you experience fruitfulness, fulfillment and success. If you don’t put first things first, you will be aligning yourself with the losing team.

Take note of what Jesus considered first things.

The First Commandment: Matthew 22:36-38 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

To succeed in life you must make God the first one you turn to in life.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” To succeed in life you must make God’s business your first concern, even above your own.

Matthew 7:4-5 “How can you think of saying, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” To succeed in life you must be willing to let God correct your life before you attempt to correct others.

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” To succeed in life you must make sure your relationships are free from anger, bitterness, resentment, envy, coveting and any damaging attitude.

These “first things,” or core values, are a guiding rule for living successfully with others. They are the bottom line for a victorious spiritual life. God has designed you to be fruitful so I encourage you to put first things first in 2009.