Today I’m linking up over at Hormonal Imbalances for Sunday Confessions.
Yes, it’s true. I’ve lived in my house for over 5 years and I hardly know any of my neighbors.
I know the single gal immediately to the left and the old man immediately to the right, but that’s about it.
I think Jesus was serious when he told us to “love our neighbors as ourselves” and I’ve epically failed at this one. I mean you have to know your neighbors before you can love them!
Don’t get me wrong. I know Jesus was using the term “neighbor” to refer to a broad span of folks, not just the people you share a property line with. However, I think our literal neighbors are a good place to start!
I’ve seen countless people move into the houses on our block, but I’m too lazy (or too much of a pansy!) to walk over to introduce myself and say hello. Don’t you think that the Christian on the block should be a little nicer than that?!
Every Christmas I think to myself, “I should make extra cookies and walk them over to my neighbors’ houses to wish them a Merry Christmas”. But then I don’t do it. That’s 5 Christmases of having the thought and 5 Christmases of chickening out. Ugh.
Then there was that one time that I called the police about neighbors across the street who were being SUPER loud well into the night. The kind of loud that I could hear from my bed even though the windows were closed. I’ll bet those neighbors would have really thought I was all kinds of awesome for summoning the cops to bang on their door at 3am.
Now, I’m not overtly mean or anything, but I’m not putting myself out there to get to know these folks and I feel like I should be.
So, rather than just confessing my shortcomings on this one, I’m going to do something tangible to make amends. Andy and I are hosting a BBQ “open house” on June 5th in an effort to get to know the people on our block. I’ll let you know how it goes!
I’ll also let you know if I end up buying a hundred burgers and dogs only to have 3 people show up…
Oh my dear Rebecca, I am go grateful to say that you are mine! I never cease to be amazed by you, and proud as a peacock of you!!! I know I will be hearing what an awesome time you had… You and Andy are wonderful people and Gracie too…
oh my goodness! after reading your post, my other favorite blog posted tips on hosting successful BBQ parties. if you get a chance, i think you'll eat her post right up! it's great! and happy-good-neighboring to you. i think you're going to get addicted to being a good neighbor, it's fun!
http://reluctantentertainer.com/2011/05/planning-a-summer-barbeque-dinner-party/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+4ReluctantEntertainers+%28Reluctant+Entertainer%29
Good luck with the bbq- sounds like a great idea :)
Hi Rebecca!! My name is Jacquelyn, I am a loyal reader of Diana's…. and I linked up for Sunday Confessions this week too (so, I decided that makes us neighbors)
I visited your blog to get to know you a little and I came to say hi!
I'm gonna go add you to my reader now and I'll see ya around :)
Nice to meet you neighbor .. have a good week!!
Well – the other comment was mine, only my mom logged into Google while she was visiting and it posted as her. LOL
Anyway, everywhere we've lived – I've never gotten to know anyone. Sad. I just don't ever really care I guess, and then we move and I think, “Who were those people again?”
I think it stems from the same thing happening when I was little. We moved so often I never really got to know anyone near us.
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