Won't You Be My Neighbor?

It's Monday morning; I'm running late for work. All I can think about is getting my laptop computer and school work in the car and zooming towards work. As I'm closing the trunk I here my name and look over at one of my neighbors who is RUNNING to catch me. She's wanting to talk about her sick child and the fact that her husband lost his job and right there I have two choices: I can nod to pretend I'm listening, all the while wishing I could get going to work, or I can stop and listen and hope that whatever time I'm missing can be made up in other ways. Today, but not always, I chose the latter.

It's amazing what a listening ear can do! After only about 5 minutes, she had more peace than before we started speaking. I offered to get her son's work for him at school and you would have thought I'd offered her the world, since they are currently without a car.

I wish I could say that I ALWAYS respond with the same attention to every person in my life who has a need. I wish I could say that I always make an attempt to SEEK out opportunities to help others. Many times, I'm so busy myself that I forget to even think about others. But this morning, I did, praise God.

I told the group of girls that I am mentoring this weekend that I wanted them to SEEK opportunities this week to serve someone, even if the person who needs help is someone they don't particularily like. That's the funny thing about having a neighbor--most of the time you don't get to choose them. Yet we are all called to help and serve our NEIGHBORS, whether we like them or not.

Look for an opportunity to serve this week. Keep your eyes open to the people in and around your life who may need assistance. You'll feel glad you did!