Since my favorite coffee shop in town closed I have been frequenting one that is actually closer to home on an almost daily basis. I usually start my work day there and then in mid to late morning go into the office. With it being summer I have been spending many of my mornings on the patio of said coffee shop and just about every morning a couple come on bicycles get their coffee and paper and sit on the exact opposite side of the window from me.
They are probably in their early sixties. They look like they enjoy life and each others company. Besides that bit of visual information I know nothing about them. Who are they? What is their story? Where are they from? We are literally separated by inches on a daily basis.
How many times in life are we around people, even family on a regular basis and we just don’t take the time to really get to know them? How many opportunities do we have on a daily basis to touch someone’s life, to make a positive influence and we let it pass by? Either we are too busy or too shy to get involved. We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are called to community – our community. Yet we don’t know our neighbor and their needs, cares, concerns or choose to get involved in their lives.
I am challenging myself to get to know my neighbors and to be involved in their lives. To love them and step out of my comfortable environment. To not prejudge based on initial actions or looks. Help make the community we live in a better place by knowing and caring for those who are your neighbors.
