the gift of neighboring

Who are the people in your neighborhood?  These days it seems we're so wrapped up in our own daily lives that we tend to forget those around us. I searched the term 'neighbor' in the NIV on BibleGateway.com and there are 141 verses instructing us on how to treat our neighbors. Over half of them are teaching us how to love them, just as we love ourselves. 

Now, I wasn't born a hundred years ago, so know that when I say, "It wasn't like this when I was a kid", I don't mean it from the 1800s. I grew up in an extremely small town in the 70s and staying indoors just wasn't an option. In fact, most of the time it was considered a form of punishment. 
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There were no video games, three channels on TV and talking on the phone was a special occassion reserved for Sunday afternoons when we each were given a two minute limit to say hello to Grandma and Grandpa. We weren't given the choice to know our neighbors or not - you just did - and they were an extended part of your family.

When my husband and I were first time home owners, we worked exhausting hours and were gone more than we were home. We lived in a lovely neighborhood, surrounded by houses but rarely took the time to meet the people living in them. One weekend, during one of my garage sales, the woman that lived across the street came over and told me that she used to do the 'neighbor thing' but wasn't interested in it anymore. Ten years later, I still am struck still by those words. 

Unfortunately, she was not alone and I see it as a growing trend more and more as our technology works to draw us indoors. It also taught me that I shouldn't wait for somebody to be my neighbor, I needed to be the one to take the step out my front door.

Our second home had a much better experience and our current neighborhood has blessed us again and again with wonderful neighbors. I look forward to the warming weather and seeing my friends out in their yards, walking their dogs and riding their bikes. I am so excited about spending our evenings watching the kids play until it's too dark to see them anymore. I have been so blessed to get the chance to know these wonderful people that God planted beside us.

Spring is just around the corner, so while the winter melts away and the sunshine returns, I would like to challenge you to take the time to learn the names of your neighbors and offer your prayers to them. Reach out as they work in their yards and learn to love your neighbors as yourselves. You will be the one blessed for the effort.

Be encouraged today!

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Alycia Holston lives in Helena, MT with her husband and three children. Her heart has always been in women's ministry and has spent the last ten years loving and supporting her fellow mothers. Now she's reaching out in ministry. Alycia is new on the writing scene as Cross River's first children's author. The combination of her love of children, geography and God's amazing creation is what led to 'While The Giant Is Sleeping,' coming Spring 2011. To learn more about Alycia, her three beautiful and energetic kids, life in Montana and her growing ministry, check out her blog at alysnewchapter.blogspot.com.