Kindness is Neighboring Well

This post is part of #Write31Days where bloggers write every day in October on one topic. I am writing about Acts of Kindness, random and otherwise. It will be interesting to note how I am different and/or how my community is different.

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I’ve read that the majority of us do not know the names of our neighbors. Is that true for you? I live in an apartment complex and the one lady’s name I know is moving out on Monday.

Years back that wasn’t the norm in the neighborhoods I lived in. We knew each other’s names and business (for good or bad). We were a loose-knit family. I miss that. I wouldn’t describe where I live now as a community, but a bunch of people who live at the same address.

When we don’t neighbor well or at all, our communities and by extension, our city/town suffers. Crime is more rampant. Loneliness and the mental issues that come with it are more common. Elderly shut-ins and latch key kids deal with life on their own with sometimes tragic consequences. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

The majority of issues our community is facing would be eliminated or drastically reduced if we could just figure out a way to become a community of great neighbors,” Bob Frie, Denver mayor.

I think most of us are scared to get to know our neighbors for two reasons. (1) They might be weird/addicted/needy and I already have enough weird/addicted/needy to deal with in my life. (2) I just don’t have the time. I can certainly relate to both especially #2. But what if Jesus meant for us to love our actual neighbors without excuse?

Let’s push past these two fears.

 I declare that kindness is neighboring well. It is more than knowing their name, although that is a great starting point. “The journey begins when we choose a lifestyle of conversation and community over a lifestyle of busyness and accumulation,” Randy Frazee says.

My church is going through the book, The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door. As we read and do the homework, we are led (some of us are PUSHED) into meeting and getting to know our neighbors. We are asked to look at them as valued people. We are asked to see if there are any needs we can meet.

• Bring in the trash can from the curb.
• Mow a lawn.
• Make a meal for a struggling family.
• Pick up groceries from the store when we go.
• Look someone in the eye, smile and say, “Hello.”

Finally we are asked to look at our calendars. How can we slow down so we can spend time at home, hanging out in our neighborhoods building deeper relationships and helping each other? Making a habit of these actions will impact  individuals, neighborhoods, cities, states and even our nation.

Kind knows the name of your neighbors and sees them as valued people.

Your Turn . . . Do you think being a good neighbor is important? . . . Read The Art of Neighboring on your own or with a small group in your church.  . . . Get to know your neighbors’ names. . . . Who can you spend time with this week? . . . If you already excel at this, give us a tip on how to neighbor well.

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

Go here for yesterday’s post: Kindness is Filling Operation Christmas Child Boxes

Previous #Write31Days Topics

• MORE vs less: 31 Days of Decluttering 2017
• Finding Laughter: 31 Days of Writing 2015 – Landing Page
• 31 Days of Finishing 2014: Table of Contents & What it is About

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.