For Their Good

             Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. (Romans 15:2)

 

            I suspect we tend to have one of four responses to our neighbors. First, we are people people so we love spending time with them because it makes us feel good. Second, we are narcissists so we love spending time with them because it makes us feel good about ourselves. Third, we’re introverts and don’t want to bother or be bothered by our neighbors. Fourth, we want to be good neighbors, but it's too stressful. Today’s passage doesn’t fit into any of those well.

One of the things I love about where I live in Florida is the sense of community that comes about, in part, because we have convenient central meeting places and volunteers who lead in activities from games and crafts to dancing lessons and exercise sessions. I live in a typical 1960s neighborhood in Pennsylvania, with many yards separated by fences and no central meeting place. I’m far from doing more with my front yard than I am doing, but there’s an idea sneaking around in my head that I should find a way to put out a couple of chairs and a table. There’s no level spot for them, and I don’t want to disturb the bird and butterfly sanctuary I have in mind. I’m also not sure that more than two people might consider using it – only if I’m there to entertain. My reaction to that is “Ugh!” The only other option is to start inviting people to visit. That’s even worse.

I’m not sure any of that will come to pass, and part of me is cheering that it might not, but today’s passage calls for some level of effort and if I’m doing anything at all toward building up my neighbors, it’s minimal. Over the last few days, I think I’ve sounded like I’m having a pity party, but the faults I find with myself are meant to be examples. You have your faults, too – but I’m not harping on them. Those are strings I hope you’ll have the courage to strum for yourself.

And as often happens, I am working on the notion that I will go from 1 mph to 150 mph in 3 seconds. So, let’s all get back to reality. There’s a lot that I really can’t do. But there are little things I can do. I pick up litter as I walk Grace in the morning. There are a few neighbors with whom I have a casual acquaintance. Two neighbors and I are gardeners, and we chat. I help another neighbor with her garden and repay her for my harvesting of some of her produce by giving her things I make.

Unless God gives you a big dream for some big ministry, leaning on fences to chat, picking up litter, or sharing one’s bounty are good places to start. Crawl before walking. Walk before running. And when it comes to little things, I can do to help my neighbors, a few crafts come to mind. And, it comes to mind that building up your neighbors can include the creatures with whom one shares a territory (as three Starlings discover the suet feeder has been refilled.) The key seems to be consciousness – awareness of others and doing the obvious and good for them.