let's be neighbors 60/366

how is a neighborhood built?

until recently I had never thought about it

because I have only ever lived in established neighborhoods

now I know

it's a process

one buyer

one building site 

one house plan choice

one foundation

house by house

it's a long process

it's hard

it's messy

it's time consuming

there are permits to procure

inspections to pass

and paperwork, oh the paperwork

building a house, 

let alone a neighborhood, 

doesn't happen overnight

maturing  

and choosing to live in community 

is much like the "neighborhood in the making" I walked through today

we are all at different stages on the journey

so we really shouldn't be judging "progress" others are making

sometimes things happen that we don't see

let's be content to practice being good neighbors

some are wrestling with which plan they are going to follow

pray for them or alongside them as they wrestle

encourage them

some are still trying to figure out where they want to build

don't rush them

some have made all the decisions and taken all the steps

now they have a solid foundation

and are busy building a beautiful life 

rejoice with them

but until Jesus calls us home none of us are complete 

let's celebrate our victories,

when things go as planned 

and all the pieces fit where they are supposed to

let's find things we have in common,

things we agree on and focus on them

lets' share troubles and heartache and pain and minimize trifling differences

in this neighborhood there is a new foundation,

and that sounds exciting 

unless you know the backstory

it is the second foundation for the family whose house is being built

their first home was near completion,

they were making final preparations to move in,

and a freak fire burnt it to the ground

even the old new foundation had to be torn out before rebuilding could begin

can you imagine their disappointment and discouragement?

if that is where you are in life

you are not alone

some of the rest of us have been there

it isn't fun

it isn't easy

it's enough to take your breath away-

and if you are in that place,

take time to rest

catch your breath

and trust that God sees you

He loves you

He knows

and He is willing and able to rebuild, 

restore 

and make something beautiful rise from the ashes and rubble

I'd love to be your neighbor 

Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”