Won't you be, won't you be my neighbor?

More on the vacation later...for now, here are some thoughts that I am wrestling with.


With the warmer weather the boys and I have spent more time outside recently. I have had the opportunity to talk to several neighbors and catch up on what's happened this last winter season. It's been heart breaking to hear about what has occurred in these people's lives. One neighbor is getting a divorce and their son is Parker's summer play mate. One neighbor just lost a young relative to a rare disease. One neighbor just lost a teenage son to a tragic accident. My heart has been burdened for these people who live their lives just hundreds of feet away from me and my sheltered world. I'm so involved in the "ministry" of the church, that I've ignored the hurting just steps from my own front door. I've been convicted, yet thankful that God has opened up my eyes. The summer is the perfect opportunity to spend time with these people. I see each of them on almost a daily basis, and what am I doing about it? How come I can stand up and speak to a group of people in church, but when it comes time to sharing my faith with one, I find myself scared? Because the church is safe for me. Most of the people there are there because they want to hear about God. The chances of me being rejected at church are slim. I've been praying for boldness to speak life and truth to those I come in contact with daily. These people have literally and physcially knocked on our door in attempt to form friendships with us. I know Matthew says, "go into all the world and preach..." but in our case, the world is literally coming to us. What am I doing about it? Jesus give me boldness to speak life, give me boldness to live truth, and give me boldness to seize every opportunity that you've ordained.