"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
Mark 12:20-34
We are changed.
We're fine. Hurricane Ike made his sharp right turn and wreaked havoc on the Galveston/Houston area, all but ignoring the coastal region where our house sits. We're a little tired, plywood and Plylox clips rich, a few dollars poorer, relieved for our former community and concerned for those who are dealing with the aftereffects of this storm.
And...we are changed.
Changed, because even though we didn't have to go through the calamity of Ike, we experienced something. We experienced something that leaves you changed. Leaves you thinking. Leaves you challenged, humbled, convicted.
We saw Jesus this week.
He showed up in the vessels of our incredible across-the-cul-de-sac neighbors, the neighbors who we waved to and shared cookies with and chased each other's dogs back into the backyards during our time in the neighborhood. The neighbors we lived across the street from for a year. The neighbors who have kept an eye on the house while it has stood on the market, empty, sign in the yard, lo these many months.
M called ahead and asked if they were going to board up their house. He asked what they thought of the storm. He asked if he could borrow some tools. And when he pulled into town, they were waiting for him, circular saw ready, work gloves on. And they jumped right in, sawing and hammering and holding ladders and feeding the kids and getting splinters and sweating until late, late in the night.
Just being neighbors.
We are changed.We don't live there anymore. There's not much we can do to reciprocate. They have no expectation of return on their time investment in helping us board up the house. They still had to finish up boarding up their home after M got back on the road.
Just being neighbors.
We saw Jesus this week. He had on work gloves and he ran the circular saw until late in the night and he put wood up over windows, just like the carpenter He is.
We saw Jesus this week.
And we are changed.
Selah.
Good neighbors are such a blessing. I am so blessed to be surrounded by fantastic neighbors.
ReplyDeleteThere is a quote that I love.... Speak the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words. And sometimes speaking the gospel can include a circular saw and work gloves. :)
So glad everything is ok. We are headed off to church. Have a great Sunday.
It's incredible when you feel the sense of community even when you've left it. I often feel the same sort of feeling when I watch the people of my hometown come together in support of someone in need. I've watched it many times, and also have been the beneficiary. It's a wonderful feeling. Sounds like you have wonderful friends in your former neighbors.
ReplyDeleteOur message today in church was on evangelism, and how it's often through our actions that we are spreading the word... that our words should sometimes be the last resort. This is aptly illustrated through your story today. Take care...
ReplyDeleteRoban
What a blessing for neighbors like that. I am thankful you did not have more damage. Do you have electricity? My son-in-laws parents are without electricity in Sugar Land.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful photographer and a wonderful writer. Have you thought about writing something for publication???? You know I am one of your biggest fans!!! :)
Have a blessed week.
This is a wonderful post. What wonderful neighbors you had! So enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great reminder to me to BE that kind of neighbor (and friend) to others. What a huge impression it made on you- and to us reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteJesus made me cry.
ReplyDeleteGod's Blessings.
I remember the last big flood I experienced 5 years ago. It was a back breaking job having to 'rescue' so many things including our pigs and chickens!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Glad that you are safe. *Hugs*
Isn't that just wonderful?! I pray to recognize and rise to the opportunities I have to help others, and I hope I would be as good a friend... I had a similar experience this 4th of July, when home alone with Sweetpea (hubs was out of town) I realized we had a major waterbed leak in big T's room...2 of my amazing coworkers came and helped me bail out big T's bedroom until the wee hours of the morning...how blessed are we to have such wonderful people in our lives?
ReplyDeleteSo glad Ike spaired your home. We're praying for those who weren't spared, and picking up in the aftermath of "Ike does the Midwest" yesterday - whew!
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of what Jesus is...a friend. I love this post. It makes me want to go next door and see how my neighbors are doing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your house is okay. I am praying fervently for all of those who have been affected by Ike and that through it all God's glory will shine.
So glad you guys are OK, just got back home & was excited to hear the update!
ReplyDelete