Who Is My Neighbor?

It's amazing how quickly I have gotten spoiled to my next-door-neighbor. Ardith called me a few weeks ago, concerned that she and John hadn't seen me out and about. I told her about my led pain and being commanded to "no weight bearing" until we figure out what is going on. Now -- normally people say something like "if you need anything you be sure and let us know" and then you agree to let them know, which of course you don't (let them know, that is). 

Ardith did not do that. She just showed up.


The next day there she is at my door with my mail and a tomato sandwich. You can't beat a good tomato sandwich and nice visit when you've been alone for a few days!

She came in just a fussin' that I'd been over here by myself all that time. I assured her my brother and sister-in-law had been getting groceries and getting my mail. She wasn't having anything to do with that. She was on the case now and she would handle everything.

Which she has done beautifully.

Everyday Ardith has come over with my mail. She checks ahead of time to see how I'm feeling. If it's a bad day she knows I haven't eaten so she brings me lunch. Otherwise she gets my mail and her two grandchildren come with her so they can spend a few minutes playing with Sarah (my fur kid).

Sarah looks forward to getting to play with the kids and I look forward to some good conversation with Ardith. I'm not sure which one of us is more excited, me or Sarah. Leave it that it does us both some good.

Ardith is gone this week. They're out of town vising family up north. My sister-in-law is over on the west coast so it's me and my brother this week. Bless his heart. It's not like he doesn't have enough to do but he's over here helping out, getting my mail, going to the grocery store, taking me to the doctor.

I share all this because it got me to thinking about one of my favorite Bible stories -- The Good Samaritan 
The basic question being asked is WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? 
It's a great story! You can find it in Luke 10:25-37

 I have to be honest. I'm not so sure we ask that question as often as we should anymore.
Seems to me we've gotten caught up in SELF.
It's kind of hard to wonder how others are doing when we're consumed in using our time taking selfies.

Besides, when I posed that question to someone -- the question about caring, that is -- their  response was "who cares"? Classic.

Ardith and I will get on a good rip about that next week when she returns.

In the meantime, I don't think it would hurt any of us to think kinder thoughts, share kinder words, express kinder sentiments -- even to people we don't even know. Not to get political but something tells me there are some folks who would enjoy a kind deed or word shown them at the Republican National Convention this week and I'm sure it will be just as true for the folks who will be at the Democratic National Convention next week. 

We don't have to be off at some convention -- we could be on vacation, at work, at home, on vacation (I repeated that ... I must really want to go to the beach).

I realize my thoughts don't seem to go too deep today. That is intentional as kindness does not need some national holiday proclaimed before we can act on it. It doesn't need a tragedy to occur before we realize what is needed.

We can choose to intentionally CARE

We don't need to let dark days get any darker
police shootings ...
revenge killings on police ...
hatred and bullying on social media
rise in road rage incidents
The list goes on and on -- but it doesn't need to

I DARE YOU to secretly perform one (or two or three) random act(s) of kindness  ... and don't tell anyone about it.

Enjoying the Journey, 

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6