Weekly Newsletter Feb. 11

When I was three years old my family moved into a huge 10-room house! We had an enclosed porch, a vestibule with full lead glass doors, walls with wainscoting, the ceilings had beams, and there were columns between the living room and dining room. It was really cool! My brother and I had our own bedrooms and the guest room became dad's den. Besides my bedroom, the porch was my favorite spot. My brother and I could play out there for hours and hours when the weather was nice and my parents didn't have to keep an eye on us. 

 One of the features of the enclosed porch was windows between each house. We could wave to our neighbors as they were coming and going, which was really nice, or so I thought. Our neighbor on one side was an older couple with two dogs and no children. The wife would spend most days sitting on the porch staring out the window watching people pass by.  Her expression was usually that of annoyance. How do I know this? Whenever I was out front I would look up to her window and wave, and she would just stare at me. Perhaps her annoyance was addressed only to me. What was worse, was when I would walk in and out the front door or play on the porch; she would turn around and glare at me. Many times I felt like I shouldn't be playing on my porch because I was bothering her. At this point I was becoming annoyed. 

One day went over to my neighbor's house, although I can't recall why. I remember her being a good conversationalist. She still stared out the window from time to time with an annoyed look. I hoped despite her hard exterior there must be a nice person inside waiting to get out! 

The voice of reason (a.k.a. my mother) helped me start to change my mind about my neighbor. Perhaps her “annoyance” was because she was home alone all day while her husband worked. She had no one to talk to, and she was not strong enough to go outside on her own. God teaches us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves; to be kind and respectful to each other, to not judge unfairly, and to watch out for one another. Now that I'm older, I like to think that “annoyance” was my neighbor's way of watching out for me! Awesome!!!
 
Jesus says, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Mark 12:29-31. I had a hard time loving my neighbor as a child, but when I allow Jesus and others to influence me, I'm able to love others as Jesus teaches. 

Check out these ways that you might share God's love with others: 

We are here to love God and all people so that all people may experience the

life-changing love of Jesus!

LOVE - We meet every weekend to experience God's love for us and show His love for others.

SERVE- We use our abilities, talents, skills, and passions for the good of others.

ENGAGE - We engage with friends to care for one another and to make new friends so they may experience God's kindness too. 

Heavenly Father, help us to love our neighbors with the same love You give us. Teach to respect them. Show us ways to help them when they are in need despite any issues we may have with them. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lynne Poindexter, Serving Ministries Dir.