Making a difference

living our faith in tangible ways

Jesus asked the lawyer, “Which of these three, do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”-Luke 10:36-37

When we ask ourselves, “Who is my neighbor?” it can change our posture. It can make us ask questions like: “Am I seeing others?” “Am I being merciful?”
Mercy is the compassionate treatment of others, regardless of their situation. There are no ulterior motives; nothing is expected in return. It’s very freeing to show kindness in this way.

Who do you know who might need a kind word, an encouraging thought, a warm meal, a bag of groceries, or a plate of cookies? Some days, even a phone call or Zoom lunch can do so much to brighten one’s life. Who are you a neighbor to?

March Challenge:

You probably recognize quite a few faces in your community. That neighbor you run into at the mailbox once a week, that person you always see at the gym, the neighbor who walks her dog at the same time every morning - but do you know their name? What would it look like to intentionally learn and remember the names of the people you cross paths with on a regular basis? Here's an easy way to start: make a map of the area where you live and take the first step by learning as many of those names as you can. When you meet someone, make a note in your phone to help you remember their name. When you see those people around the community, offer a smile and a personal greeting. One of the simplest but most powerful ways to love our neighbors is simply by acknowledging them and taking the time to learn their name. (adapted from https://blog.apartmentlife.org/)