Thou shall love thy neighbor as thy self. Mark 12:31. There is none other
commandment greater than this. God chose to teach me this lesson, one day. I
always thought I was a pretty good Christian. I try very hard to walk the walk,
not just talk the talk. However, loving my neighbor is, somehow, something I
don't do well.
About twelve summers ago, I had neighbors, across the street, that were party
animals; loud, obnoxious, drinkers, vulgar, etc. I was always aggravated, on the
week ends, as they began their weekend drunk and disorderly. Summer was worse,
as they partied outside.
Funny thing, when I prayed, I never included them in my intercessions for the
lost, loved, ones. Well, after all, Lord, they weren't family, nor would I like
it if they were.
They had a little girl, I would imagine to be about six years old, and, as she
would see us leave when she was in the yard, she would stick out her tongue and
make distorted faces at us. You know, that kid thing, when they weren't brought
up proper. (Like my own children didn't do those things when out of my sight.)
What a distasteful child. But then, what would you expect from that family? Why
she chose us to display her faces I wondered. After all, I had never spoke
unkindly to her. In truth, I never spoke to her. What a self-righteous
sanctimonious, self serving, Christian I was.
Well, these attitudes will come home to roost and God will see to it.
One afternoon, I had gone to help Gloria clean the church and, as we live just
three blocks from there, I declined the ride home and decided to walk. It was a
very hot summer day and the last block to my house is on a small incline. I had
started up the hill, about a hundred feet from home, and began to get sick. My
leg went numb. I stumbled to our drive way and could no longer stand. I fell to
my knees. I would have to crawl.
About that time, the man (you know, the heathen) saw my distress and rushed over
to help me to the house. He opened my front door (getting me inside), sat me in
the easy chair, then called for his wife. He called Harley at work and asked him
to hurry home. He then left, telling his wife to stay with me until my husband
got home.
She never really spoke to me. (I wonder why?) But, she propped up my foot, on
the foot stool, and made me comfortable. Then, she sat across from me, to her
appointed vigil. She reminded me of a scared animal (or, more like a trapped
animal) confronted by a bear. By this time, I was in tears ... not from the pain
but from the humiliation, shame, remorse, and all the above.
As soon as Harley arrived home, she bolted out the door. I thanked her, over and
over again, for all they had done ... to which I got a quick bashful, "Your
welcome." Then, she was gone.
That afternoon, after returning home from the doctor, I sent them a beautiful
planter of greenery and fresh flowers with a beautiful card of 'thanks for being
good neighbors'. I even asked God to bless them richly.
I would like to say that we become great friends and good neighbors. But, that
was not the case. They always kept their distance. Only, they would wave, now,
and returned it ... never any doors to friendship.
The little girl began to smile and wave at us and, one day, we stopped in the
driveway and invited her to Sunday school. Her father quickly vetoed that
gesture. She looked a little sad.
After all these years, what really bothers me is that I had failed my Lord to be
the good neighbor. They were the good neighbors. I realize, had the situation
been reversed, I would have gone to their rescue. But, that doesn't absolve me
from the fact that I failed, as a Christian, to be the witness. Also, I would
not have learned this very important lesson in my life, had I had a wonderful
Christian attitude when it was self serving. I have to be honest about this, or
the lesson would have been wasted.
I can only hope, after they moved, that God planted a true, humble, Christian in
their path to lead them to the Lord. I have come to realize how much I had put
my Lord to shame in my attitude.
© 2003 by Sandra Griffin
ssgriffin@qconline.com
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