I've been on the launch team for some weeks now to promote a book entitled "How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird" by Amy Lively.
Before this book was ever put into my hands this year, the last two years a desire to reach out to my neighbors in some tangible way was being created in me, but I just didn't know where to start.
Drum roll please and enter: How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird.
This book has given me incentive, started my creative juices flowing and even teaching me what a good neighbor looks like.
Amy talks about starting a Neighborhood Cafe, which is exactly what she did in her own neighborhood. Inviting your female neighbors over for a cup of coffee and conversation, getting to know their name and something about them. You never know what will happen. She shares her mistakes and her successes.
I started this adventure last year, stepping out of my comfort zone to reach out to my neighbors. Ashley and Chris, our neighbors across the street, recently had a baby in the fall of 2014. I thought, "okay, I'm going to do something for them." I make a pretty good lasagna, so I decided that would be my gift to them. What mom doesn't enjoy a meal being brought over? I took it one step further and bought an outfit with a little toy and a card for Ashley.
Stepping out of my door and knocking on theirs, I found myself feeling like a good neighbor. Ashley was very appreciative of the food and clothes and later sent me a beautiful thank you card.
Because of my youngest daughter and her husband's dog, when they were here on vacation last year, I was able to find out my neighbor's name behind me, Leanne. She was gracious enough to hunt Sadie down and return her home after she had escaped our yard. What can I do to get to know Leanne even better? My thoughts are swirling.
Since spring has arrived, I've been thinking what else can I do for my neighbors.
My neighbor next door, Joyce, just had surgery. "What can I do for her?" is my thought now.
What about the neighbor on the other side of me? Her husband yells constantly at her and her son, belittling them both and using foul language. I'm not sure how I can help her. Right now I just pray for their family. They need help in a big way.
Dawn, kitty-corner to us across the street, has three boys in high school, a husband and a brother living with her in their small home. I helped her find a job in the medical transcription arena. Every year we buy a treat from her boys who are Boy Scouts. They know my husband as Pastor Bruce. How can I reach out to Dawn this year? I'm praying for an opportunity.
Recently, I joined an online community where we pray for each of our neighbors. The website is pray4everyhome.com. I print off five neighbors every day to pray for. The names are given to me on this website. I only needed to register.
I've also joined the IF: Gathering/Equip community.
You can find them at: ifgathering.com. They have something each month called the IF: Open Table that peaked my curiosity. The second Sunday of each month you invite 5 people to come to your table at your home. The table can be an outside picnic table, your dining room table, whatever you want your table to look like. It can be decorated elegantly, picnic-style, vintage style anything is okay. Your invite can include women in your neighborhood, church, co-workers - just people you want to get to know.
A simple meal is prepared. After the meal four women pick a conversation card from the middle of the table and ask a question. Each women answers and a discussion is started with each women sharing her thoughts. The IF:Gathering website provides the four questions for you to download. This has been a God-send.
The next IF: Table is May 17th. If that date doesn't work, you can chose your own date that month. I'm already thinking of who I can invite. A little scary? You bet. But I feel this is what God is calling me to do.
I'm in the process of self-publishing stories of women who have gone through some difficulties in life and have seen the other side of it; women who have come through an abortion, marriage troubles, a child's suicide, a miracle of a birth, relationship struggles and divorce. These stories, I am hoping, will bring hope and encouragement to other women to say "they got through it, and so can I."
I want to use this book to give to women I meet in my life's journey, in my neighborhood, around my table, to spread the gospel of hope and of Christ's intervention in women's lives.
Many ideas are stirring in me. I'm not sure exactly how all this will workout, or even what it will look like. One thing I know for sure is that God will be with me, leading me to women who just need a helping hand or a listening ear.
In my Wednesday night Bible study group for women, I get the opportunity to hear women share their stories, their pain, their joys, sorrows, trials. Opportunities to pray with them, help them and mostly just listen.
I'm looking forward to seeing what lies ahead and the adventures God has waiting just around the corner.
