This post is part of the series His Encouragement
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Welcome! Welcome, dearest friends, to His Encouragement: Biblical Inspiration for Your Thursday. Every week, I join a few blogging friends to bring you a Bible passage and a little hope-filled discussion. We pray that these devotionals help you end your week strong in God’s love and purpose for you.
Today’s Scripture
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Luke 6:31, ESV
A few days ago, our 4-year-old son and I lingered in our front yard as evening approached. I was digging up two tiny volunteer fan palms and placing them in little pots. He wanted to watch and help.
After helping to pat the soil down, he noticed an older gentleman walking down the sidewalk at the end of our driveway.
“Mama, is that a neighbor?” he asked excitedly.
“Yes, he is our neighbor.”
Without hesitating, my son leaned over, waved happily, and shouted: “Hi, Neighbor!”
The man was so touched he paused his evening walk, introduced himself, said he lived across the street and two houses down. He knew my parents and shared his condolences at the loss of my mom. We had a genuine conversation for about ten minutes.
I learned his name, his wife’s name, and that his wife was experiencing serious health challenges. He was worried he might lose her in the next few months or years. He also confided in me that at 66-years-old, he is afraid of living the rest of his life alone.
He opened up to me, a virtual stranger, and we bonded over a similar experience (the terminal illness of a loved one). Though short, I pray I was comforting and encouraging for him while we talked. I am grateful that my son brought a little sunshine into his day. And now the door is open for future conversations on future evenings.
But this opportunity to get to know this man would never have happened if my friendly 4-year-old had not waved and shouted: “Hi, Neighbor!”
Starved for person-to-person contact
Perhaps because of the current time that we are living in with the global pandemic, social distancing, stay-at-home orders, remote working, etc., we should not underestimate how powerful a simply “Hello” can be.
People are starved for genuine, person-to-person interactions. Think about it. If you were lonely or worried or haven’t really had human contact for four or five months, wouldn’t you want someone to say “hello” to you?
I know we are not all extroverts – I’m an introvert myself – but let’s really make an effort. Go outside one evening around the time people get home from work or neighbors take evening walks. Find something to do, like sweep your porch or plant a flower, and wait for someone to walk by. When they do, wave and greet them.
Putting it into action
I challenge us all: let’s be intention. Let us each decide to say “Hi, Neighbor” to at least ONE neighbor each week for the rest of the month.
Give a little wave, a smile, and said: “Hi, Neighbor!”
What verse has touched your heart this week? Share in the comments below!
- Trisha of Joy of Reading
- Nicole of The Christian Fiction Girl
- Jessica of A Baker’s Perspective
- Becca of The Becca Files
- Gina of Stories by Gina
- Rev. Rebecca Writes
- Andi of Radiant Light
- Leslie of Words of Hope
- Claudia of By Claudia Moser
- Keneesha of Women Loving God’s Way
Hi there, blogger. Would you like to join us in sharing encouragement from the Word of God every Thursday? Don’t be shy! Contact Trisha or Nicole today!
Featured photo by Chris Tingom on Unsplash.
Your son is awesome! What a great story. ❤