Journaling reads:
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Lyrics
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Could you be mine?
Would you be mine?
It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood
A neighborly day for a beauty
Could you be mine?
Would you be mine?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you
Let's make the most of this beautiful day
Since we're together, might as well say
Would you be my, could you be my
Won't you be my neighbor?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)
This started out to be a post about the beautiful day. But after remembering the song Mr. Rogers used to sing at the opening of his program, it turned into being about neighbors. It is a shame that we don’t know our neighbors the way our mothers and fathers and grandparents knew their neighbors. I’m talking about the next door neighbors. Mark and I speak to our next door neighbors when we see them, but that is not very often. We wave to the neighbors across the road when we see them. But again that is not very often. Everyone leads such busy lives that there seems to be no time for getting together socially with the people we live next door to. And, to be honest, I don’t really want to put myself out there for others to know the ins and outs and daily activities of my life. There is so much evil in the world you, sometimes, can’t even trust your own family! Because of that I want to “keep my nose in my own business” and I want everyone else to do the same!
That being said, that isn’t what Jesus did. Jesus didn’t stay locked up inside the house all His life. He didn’t even have a house to call His own. He was out and about, meeting and greeting and talking to His “neighbors.” That was anyone He came into contact with. How many times did he spend the night with “strangers?” I need to be more like my pastor who is not afraid to talk to “strangers.” Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting we hit the streets and go with any Tom, Dick, or Harry who invites us home with them! But I know I need to be more open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to at least talk to my neighbors. But it gives my heart trepidation to even thinking about it!
Lord, my prayer today is that I would decide to step out in faith more often and speak words of wisdom and salvation to those I come in contact with. And please forgive my failures at the attempts I make! Help me to trust You more! Thank You for the beautiful day in my neighborhood. Thank You for the patience and mercy You show to Your weak children every day!
Reminder to Self:
Have No Fear – Matthew 10:26-33 (ESV)
