Love your neighbor 101.

"Mr. Scotty is such a nice guy", she says while we watch our kids jump on the trampoline.  "I bet he doesn't even yell at you and hit you!" 

Me: "Uh, no, he sure doesn't."

Her, looking incredulous: "Never??"

Me: "Well, no, never.  Since we're Christians, we take seriously what the Bible says about loving one another, even when we're frustrated with each other."

She smiles and repeats that she thinks Scotty is just the best.  I agree and hope I might have other opportunities to share more with this neighbor of ours.  Earlier that day, I had taken the kids out for a walk- one last chance to hang out before school started up again.  I was feeling particularly convicted recently about how little we knew some of our neighbors, especially the ones that have lived on this street as long as we have.  I was also feeling troubled about the lack of progress Jubilee was making in picking up Spanish.  So, I began to pray about both of those things. 

As we arrived back to the house after our walk, a somewhat mangled looking rooster was prancing around in the road.  Our neighbor across the street, with whom we've had casual conversation over the years, was standing by her door watching him.  I asked what happened to him and she explained that he likes to fight and I wondered what sort of animal was able to pluck out his neck hair in that way.  She asked about our dogs and when her 7 year old daughter came out, I invited them both to come inside to see our 8, month-old puppies.  They agreed and the next thing I knew, our kids were playing like old friends and I was having the longest conversation I've had yet with this friendly neighbor.  After 20 minutes or so, she remembered that she needed to keep an eye on the chicken, so she told me just to send her daughter back over when we were ready.  In another hour or so, both our 7 year-olds had become besties.  If only adult relationships were so easy!

BFFs

After we said "good-bye", Jubilee begged for Stephanie to come back the next day or spend the night or have breakfast with us.  "I love her!" she gushed about her new friend. 

So, it seems that the Lord was pleased to answer my prayers, both for Jubi's Spanish (Stephanie does not speak English) and for better interactions with our neighbors!  Now, the real trick is to maintain contact with this mom, despite our vast differences.  To love her for who she is and engage with where she is in life.  Instead of seeing her as a project, to learn to really care for her.