| |
When we first moved into our home about 20 years ago we had a few run ins with one of our neighbours. Several times they knocked on our door complaining of what we would consider insignificant things like the kids making too much noise in the backyard (what we called laughter). We came to the assumption that they were difficult people who did not deserve our compliance. They are the complete opposite of our family. However, we still did our best to live in peace with them and avoided them whenever possible.
About 8 years ago the Holy Spirit prompted us to bless them. So, we began taking cake and baked goods at Christmas and special occasions, just to show that we were kind and forgiving people. It was then that our avoidance turned in to waves, our waves turned in to hellos, and our hellos turned in to them asking us to pull in their garbage cans and collect their mail when they went on vacation. We even shoveled their driveway when they were away.
When my sister and brother in law moved in for a few months last year, my brother in law helped them change a tire and they have been “buddies” ever since. Three weeks ago, as I was hustling to get inside, they stopped me to ask who was graduating? They had noticed for weeks the graduation sign MCA placed on our lawn. What an amazing conversation starter it was. We stood on our front lawn for over an hour talking. We had a conversation like never before. We talked about our feelings regarding the COVID19 virus, isolation, and even racial tensions, this opened the door for me to tell them about the power of prayer.
It has taken over 20 years, but I finally feel like our kind actions toward our neighbours has paid off and opened the door for us to tell them about Jesus.
Galatians 6:7-10 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
If we had followed our human instinct to completely ignore them or be just as difficult as we thought they were being, we would have missed out on so much. They recently became grandparents, so we know that with time and more opportunities to do good, we will have a rich harvest.
May I encourage you this week to “please the Spirit, don’t become weary in doing well and do good as you have opportunity.”
|
|
Pastor Alicia LaFleur
Next Steps Pastor
|
