Meeting the Neighbors

 



We were blessed to purchase a winter home in a wonderful neighborhood in Florida this year. In the evenings I love to walk, and I try to pick a different street so I can meet the neighbors. We were back in town for just a week or so, and I wanted to exchange emails with a neighbor I had met in March, so I decided to walk to her house.

When I rang her doorbell, I felt like I had hit the jackpot. To my surprise, several neighbors were sitting at her table playing dominoes. I love to meet new people and was excited as she introduced me to everyone. They immediately began to tell neighborhood stories and made me feel welcome.

Somewhere amid the conversation, I mentioned that I was a Christian author and speaker. Maybe it was poor timing, or they didn’t know what to think of me at that point. One of my new friends seemed embarrassed because she had been married four times. I immediately said, “Who am I to judge? I’m on number two myself.”

I pray that when I left that evening, none of my new friends felt that I was judging them. In a short five to ten-minute conversation, I had a wonderful time and I look forward to more neighborhood stories and laughing.

Jesus didn’t judge others. Instead, He associated with them and showed them unconditional love. In the story of the adulterous woman, He showed her grace, setting a wonderful example for us on how to treat others. (John 8:1-11).

All too often we look at others through judgmental eyes. It is so much easier to see the faults of someone else than it is to see our own shortcomings. We are not supposed to judge one another, instead, God calls us to love each other.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (Matthew 7:1-2).

What a powerful warning in the scriptures—reminding us to treat others how we want to be treated ourselves. None of us live a perfect life, yet Christ is there to rescue us when we fail.

“Christ never reaches down to us or looks down at us. He reaches out to save us. No matter where you and I are, or what we have done, He reaches out to rescue us.”[i] Let us live by Christ’s example of not judging the sins of others. Instead, let’s remember to reach out and help our friends and neighbors. In doing so, we will enjoy great fellowship and laughter with friends!

[i] Rodman, M. (2020). Cast the First Stone be Transformed by Grace (1st ed., Ser. The Irrepressible Disciple Series). Legacy Lane Publishing.

 

Location: Radnor, OH 43066, USA

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