My pastor gave a lesson this past Sunday on the good Samaritan. He was teaching us about trying to strive for greatness, not just being great at something. His said the path to greatness is difficult, costly, and can be uncomfortable. I really enjoyed the lesson, but my mind wandered in a different direction. The verse Luke 10:29 "Who is my neighbor?" Is what caught me.
Neighbors are a big worry/concern for me because we are professional movers. Who will our neighbors be? Will they be friendly? Are they dangerous? Can we trust them? Do they have children? Are they the kind of neighbors I could call on in an emergency? All of this floods my head when we start looking for a house. I need to quit worrying so much, not one time has God let me down in the neighbor department. What I learned last Sunday was that my "neighbors" are not only those that live near me, they are the ones traveling down the same path as me. Hopefully they are headed the same direction, and God will whisper in their ear "She needs help" when I am battered, bruised and too weary to get back up.
I'm trying to learn to be a good neighbor. It's hard, like Pastor Jerry said. I'm still learning how to be a "mommy friend", but I have had some great teachers. Here's what I have learned: Offer a little more than you think you can do. I underestimate myself, out of fear of failure or disappointment. When you have an inkling that your friend needs a little help, do it don't wait. You may just be the support that she needs to keep from coming undone. I know this from personal experience. My friend Becky taught me more than she'll ever know. The best lesson I got from her was to not wait for an invitation to come help, just go help. She busted in my house after my miscarriage, after I expressly told her not to. She came and cleaned my house when I couldn't, took care of my son because I was too broken to try, and she wouldn't let me be swallowed under a grief bigger than I could bare. People that is Greatness in action, that is a "good neighbor".
My other "mommy friends" teach me things daily. My neighbor Amy teaches me that she is part of my village that helps raise my children. Our kids play together every day, invade each others houses, and love each other like family. She is one of the busiest people I know but she always has time for my children. She volunteers to take my children when I need help. She is invaluable to me. She is a neighbor I know I can call any time day or night.
I think I prayed all of my friends into my life. Each of you seem like I checked you off of a shopping list. God knows my weakness and frailty, and sent strong women to help me through each stage of my life. God knows what my children need and has sent people who are not only my friends but my children's friends too. I need to let go of the fear of my children not having good memories of a family filled youth. Their family lies all over the country. Their cousins are the kids they play with, they have so many Aunts and Uncles that they see all the time, they even have local grandparents to come watch their baseball games. The needs of my heart were each filled by my God. Each of you is my neighbor.
The question of "Who is my neighbor?" is becoming easier to answer. My neighbor is my friend. My neighbor makes my day more livable. My neighbor is the friend that has seen me with no make up, kids running wild, and I'm hanging on by a thread. My neighbor is the parent of the sweet girl that is Tate's best friend, who I love like a sister. God please keep filling my world with Good Neighbors. Please let me continue to be on the same path as these women. Please continue to whisper to them how much I need them. God please make use of me and direct me to who needs me. Let me be encouraged to offer more than I think I can do. I don't know that I'm ready to try for greatness, I'm starting by trying to be a great neighbor.
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