When my husband and I first married, he lived here in Colorado while I lived in Ohio for 18 months. In those 18 months, we spent a lot of time in communication through email, web cams, and telephone conversations.

We talked a lot while he was on his way home from work and each day as he neared the house, he would stop to get the mail. On a few occasions he would try to explain these strange mail boxes that held a couple dozen smaller boxes for individuals. I could not understand it.

You see, I had never lived anywhere where the mailbox was not attached to the house or at the road at the end of your driveway. It wasn’t until my first visit to Colorado was I able to understand the mailbox clusters he had described over and over to me.

Now, I’m accustomed to not seeing my mail carrier or my neighbors.

It seems to me that our little neighborhoods with mailbox clusters and three car garages have removed the “love your neighbor” element from our lives. How sad.

Just last night after dark, our doorbell rang and my husband made his way to the front door. Before he even reached the door, a young woman began speaking. She apologized for bothering us. It was our next door neighbor. She was distraught. Her sister had gone missing.

I immediately went outside and spent a few moments with this young gal. I comforted her. I hugged her. I cried with her. I told her to let me know if there was anything they might need. I felt helpless.

She apologized for bothering us.

How messed up our society is when we feel like we can’t ask a neighbor for a favor. Or share a problem. Or simply get to know one another.

What I do know is that Jesus asked us to be a light in our neighborhoods and to be a source of hope for those who have none. Jesus asked, no He commanded us to love our neighbors as we’d like to be loved.

We miss so much in our little neighborhoods. My neighbors didn’t know my grandson died. Only a handful knew of the death of Pat next door. I don’t know what’s happening with the young family across the road. So, I applaud my neighbor who asked for help. She stepped out of her comfort zone and broke the code of conduct in our little world.

I don’t have all the answers, but I do know what Jesus said about loving our neighbors. Regardless of who they are, what they believe, or what nationality they are we are to love them. Where there is hurt, we are to give assistance. Where there is discord, we are to offer peace. Where there are grievances, we are to forgive. Where there is hate and bitterness, we are to love.

If you haven’t read the Parable of the Good Samaritan in a while, perhaps this is the perfect day to do so (Luke 10:25-37).

Please keep my neighbors in your prayers today. Pray that their daughter will be found safe. Pray that she will return with an open heart to go back on her medication. Pray for peace in the hearts of those who are waiting for her return. But above all, pray that they will see Jesus through me.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna