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| Caddo County, OK, August 20, 2007 -- Debris litters the yards as neighbors help neighbors clean up in the aftermath of the flooding caused by the severe weather following Tropical Storm Erin in Caddo County, Oklahoma. Before the state or FEMA are asked to assist, it is individuals and local communities who first help citizens in their recovery. Photo by: Patricia Brach/FEMA photo (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
Proverbs 3:29
New International Version (NIV)
If you're like I am, you probably don't know your neighbors very well. When I see my neighbors we might exchange friendly greetings, but on the whole neighborliness where I live isn't like I remember it when I was a kid still living with my parents. We seemed to know mostly all of the neighbors and they'd visit with one another and maybe even drop in with goodies now and then.
Maybe you still live in a neighborhood where things are still this way. Not where I live. Everyone is busy with work or activities. Not many people stay at home much and when they are at home they'll mostly be inside. There are few neighbors whom I know by name and I don't know much about those whose names I do know and nothing about the rest of the neighbors.
But I would hope that I would be able to step up to help if any of them needed it. And I certainly don't want to do anything against any of them. There are almost always those mean folks in a neighborhood who want to complain about something a neighbor is doing or cause problems for them, but I'd rather treat my neighbors like I want them to treat me--with respect and with as little hassle for them as possible.
If they have the time and seem like they want to talk then I'll gladly take the time to visit with them. I'll hear their needs and if there is some way that I can be of service to them then I'll do it. And this doesn't just apply in the immediate vicinity where I live. The world is our neighborhood and we should be good neighbors with everyone.
Sadly, neighborliness has been forgotten by much of the world. There is a lot of spitefulness, greed, and distrust in our world. People are out for themselves, their specific group, or their nation. To a certain extent I suppose you have to think in these terms, but that shouldn't be the way our lives are ruled. It sure seems like we'd all be better off if we showed more love for each other and had a greater live and let live philosophy about everything.
We need to live within God's law which is the perfect law that would solve all the problems of this mean old world. I guess there's just too many folks thinking that their law is God's law even if their thinking is wrong. Maybe those people need to do a bit more thinking and a bit more studying on the issue. Thoughtful kind people are the ones I want for my neighbors and that's the kind of neighbor I prefer to be as well.
Maybe you still live in a neighborhood where things are still this way. Not where I live. Everyone is busy with work or activities. Not many people stay at home much and when they are at home they'll mostly be inside. There are few neighbors whom I know by name and I don't know much about those whose names I do know and nothing about the rest of the neighbors.
But I would hope that I would be able to step up to help if any of them needed it. And I certainly don't want to do anything against any of them. There are almost always those mean folks in a neighborhood who want to complain about something a neighbor is doing or cause problems for them, but I'd rather treat my neighbors like I want them to treat me--with respect and with as little hassle for them as possible.
If they have the time and seem like they want to talk then I'll gladly take the time to visit with them. I'll hear their needs and if there is some way that I can be of service to them then I'll do it. And this doesn't just apply in the immediate vicinity where I live. The world is our neighborhood and we should be good neighbors with everyone.
Sadly, neighborliness has been forgotten by much of the world. There is a lot of spitefulness, greed, and distrust in our world. People are out for themselves, their specific group, or their nation. To a certain extent I suppose you have to think in these terms, but that shouldn't be the way our lives are ruled. It sure seems like we'd all be better off if we showed more love for each other and had a greater live and let live philosophy about everything.
We need to live within God's law which is the perfect law that would solve all the problems of this mean old world. I guess there's just too many folks thinking that their law is God's law even if their thinking is wrong. Maybe those people need to do a bit more thinking and a bit more studying on the issue. Thoughtful kind people are the ones I want for my neighbors and that's the kind of neighbor I prefer to be as well.
James 2:8
New Century Version (NCV)
It is a shame how people treat one another. Taking care of yourself and not caring how it affects another has become the norm. I know people who deliberately try to not meet their neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that my wife is like that. She's kind of shy I guess and prefers to avoid anyone in the neighborhood. On the other hand I've served on the association board and attend neighborhood meetings. I stop to chat with neighbors if I happen to encounter them, but usually I don't see anyone or they're doing something where I don't want to bother them.
DeleteLee
I remember as a child wandering aimlessly around the neighborhood with my brother and we knew where all the kids our age lived. It's hard to imagine this happening as often with kids nowadays.
ReplyDeleteIt was the same for me. I think of the recent flap over "free-range parenting" where parents are getting into letting their kids go out by themselves. My mother would have gone to jail if that had been the concern when I was a kid. I survived just fine and had a great childhood. Not once did I think my life was in any sort of jeopardy.
DeleteLee
I don't avoid anyone... I'm just not good at initiating, having interesting things to add, etc...
ReplyDeleteThere is still a good bit of it in my community. It has slowed down some, but I think that is largely because right around us, we are all getting older. The Truth is if we hear of someone, no matter where they are, they are our neighbor in the Lord's eyes. I think of how He repeatedly said "If you love me, feed my sheep." Ever notice how Christ always met the physical need as well as the spiritual? Who's gonna listen to the gospel when their stomach is rumbling from hunger?
ReplyDeleteVisit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B of Tremps' Troops
with the A to Z Challenge