Neighbors and Friends
I just finished reading a wonderful book of short stories. No small feat for me these days, as any question or wild hair notion that catches my attention, can be easily searched out on the internet. Why this book now? Perhaps the circumstances leading to it being in my possession, and the fact that it was only 81 pages long factored into my decision/compulsion to check it out. It all started when my husband helped a friend sell a motorcycle, and we ended up delivering it to the new owner. Not just any motorcycle, but a treasured 1985 Honda Rebel 250 which had belonged to our friend’s beloved sister, who’d passed away recently.
Delivery day arrived. We had waited for the weather to be decent, which translates to not raining or too windy to pull a trailer in. It took only a little over an hour to arrive at our destination and off load the bike. My husband proceeded to start the bike and go over key features and details. “What a beautiful bike!” exclaimed the new owner for the second time since the trailer doors had opened and revealed it tucked safely inside. We then asked if she would mind having her picture taken with the bike, as the previous owner’s Mom had wanted one, if possible. Gracious consent was given along with a request that we “hang on for a minute,” as she retrieved something to send back with the picture. She returned with a book she had written, saying that this should help the family know more about her.
Once home, we delivered the picture and the book, which were happily received by our friend’s Mom, who then surprised me by asking that I take it home and read it first. So I did.
The collection of short stories about the author’s life in her community pulled me in. One in particular told of her neighbors, and how they looked out for and engaged with one another. This happened to coincide with passages I had read in Luke 10: 25-37 the day before. These scripture verses contain an exchange between a person only identified as “a certain lawyer,” trying to test Jesus by asking questions based on Mosaic Law. Luke 10:27 includes the key commandments which state, “you shall love the Lord your GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” The lawyer mentioned above responds with, “And who is my neighbor?” in verse 29.
Jesus clarifies the definition to include all those we meet, in his responsive example of The Good Samaritan found in Luke 10: 30-37. The neighbor to neighbor engagement extends to those near to us and those we meet in our everyday activities, wherever they are. My husband exhibited it by finding the right home for the bittersweet, memory linked bike of a friend’s family, while also considering the practical kindness of delivering a smooth running machine to a stranger. The stranger wanted to assure the family that the bike went to the right place.
The Covid -19 ramifications have impacted and interfered with the ability to fully engage and assess the needs of those around us. Many may feel guilty over even thinking about helping strangers, when the needs of friends and relatives have been unmet in several key areas during this time. That’s where seeking God’s help through prayer and scripture can help us find ways to overcome the obstacles. This often falls outside of our comfort zones and schedules, and will most likely include sacrifice. In other words a costly response to God’s grace and gift of Jesus Christ.
Scripture Quote from New American Standard Bible