Getting to Know "the Jones" Family

How do we get to know our neighbors? You know, the people who live next door or across the street. Have you ever thought about that? Jesus calls us to love those around us. He calls us to share with others his message of hope and grace. But how do we do that if we never even learn the names of the people living right next door?

That question is weighing on Pam and I. We just moved into a new-for-us home in an upscale gated community. We love our new neighborhood. It is safe, beautiful and has lovely greenbelts that Millie is enjoying on her daily walks. But our neighbors are busy, successful people much like the neighbors who live around you. Busyness makes forming new relationships particularly difficult.

Since before we moved in, Pam and I have been praying that we would be a blessing, especially to the neighbors in our cul-de-sac. With that in mind, we came up with an idea…maybe it would be something you could try too.

This morning, I dropped off a bottle of wine with a small note introducing ourselves to the twenty homes nearest us. I wrote the note in Spanish and English. (There are numerous English-speaking families here.)

On Pam’s suggestion, I deleted a sentence I had written explaining that I was the pastor of an English-speaking church. In fact, I didn’t say anything about our faith. Pam is quite certain that we will have a greater chance to reach people if we get to know them first before engaging in conversations about our faith and our church.

One couple came out immediately and thanked me profusely for the gift. And they invited Pam and me over to their home! Ahh, perhaps this could be the beginning of a relationship. Who knows? Just now I received texts from two other neighbors thanking me for the gift and introducing themselves.

People come and go in this neighborhood, just like yours. In the “old days” it was normal for the established neighbors to bring over a welcome gift of baked goods and introduce themselves. But that does not happen very often today. Pam and I have moved enough in the past few years to know how rarely anyone reaches out to “the new kids on the block.”

But that shouldn’t keep us from reaching out to them. Jesus invites us to live life on mission. Every day he gives us opportunities to pour out his love and grace on those we cross paths with. So, if a bottle of wine might open the door to a relationship with your neighbor, I encourage you to buy one today!

Warmly,

Steve and Pam