Our Neighbor

When I was a little guy, I loved Mr. Rogers. I loved him so much that I even wanted a "Mr Rogers Haircut" when I went to get a trim. I was obsessed.

One of his favorite phrases was "Hello, neighbor". He was seeking all of us to feel connected, like neighbors. Revolutionary thought. Or was it?

After hearing of the horrible things that have happened in Myanmar (the cyclone) and China (severe earthquake) I think of what it means to be neighbors.

A friend of mine pointed out today that we are called to look at what we consider our neighbors and expand that out. These hurting people in Myanmar and China are our neighbors just like the family living next door to me is my neighbor.

Sometimes it is so easy to desensitize ourselves from the world because it doesn't affect our lives, but try thinking about a neighbor as being someone more than the person next door.

In Matthew 19:19, Jesus reminds us that we are to "love our neighbor as ourselves". This is a big commandment. Are you following it?

Last weekend was Marta's and my first anniversary and we spent it in Colorado Springs. At one point we were walking to a coffee shop to play some Cribbage when we were asked for some money for food from someone sitting on the street. Instead of giving money, we invited Joan to come and join us at the coffee shop.

She came and we talked for an hour. I would like to say that we blessed her life, but she truly blessed us more than we blessed her. It was one of the many highlights of our 1st Anniversary trip.

Who can you bless? What neighbor can you treat as you would treat yourself?

Try it out today!