Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Howdy Neighbor!

Summer is the time of year when neighborhood block parties become a common sight along the streets of Oak Park, Illinois, the town where my wife, Deb, and I live. The block is closed off to car traffic and the streets become the space for badminton nets, portable basketball hoops and inflatables. Neighbors bring their favorite foods and drinks to share with others. Sometimes the local fire department even sends a truck that the kids can explore.

We didn’t have block parties where I grew up, but perhaps we didn’t need them. Everyone on our block knew everyone else. It was commonplace to take over the street for games of whiffle ball or “running bases.” In the summer, people sat on their front porch and greeted neighbors passing by. As often as not, these greetings became extended discussions.

I think of these things whenever I hear or read the Biblical imperatives about neighbors, such as love your neighbor as yourself. Of course, God intends for us to see everyone as our neighbor, not just those who live next door or on the same block as us. But, perhaps similar to the old adage about charity, it’s true that neighborliness begins on one’s own street.  

I haven’t always been a great neighbor on the blocks where I’ve lived as an adult. We’ve lived in a number of neighborhoods over the years and I confess that I rarely knew many of my neighbors by name. Unfortunately, this was the norm for others in our neighborhood, too. There were many “good” excuses for this, I suppose, as parents worked long hours and spent evenings taking their kids out of the neighborhood to various activities. TVs and video games replaced outdoor activities, churches ceased to be neighborhood gathering places, and front porches disappeared in favor of private decks in the backyard.

I’ve done better at getting to know my neighbors since Deb and I moved into a townhome in Oak Park 13 years ago – our first experience not living in a “single family” home. If you are a townhome or condominium dweller, you know that this choice brings with it a unique neighborhood gathering called the “condo association.” Our home is one of only five units in our development. We have elected officers, but we have chosen over the years to involve all owners directly in decisions that need to be made. One of us is the elected president of the association, but we actually take turns chairing our meetings.

Our neighbors/fellow unit owners are an interesting group. Laura and Matt are both attorneys who are expecting their first child soon. Scott is an accountant who works from his home office. Steve is also an attorney who works for a large company in Chicago. Judy is a school principal. For the past three years, she has been serving as the headmaster of an international school in Dubai! She’s been renting her unit to Juliann, who owns a beautiful greyhound. When we have our meetings, Judy “Skypes” in from her apartment in Dubai at 4 a.m. Deb and I are the senior citizens of the group, both in age and in our tenure as residents of the townhome community.

Participating as a member of our homeowners association has helped us get to know our neighbors. Our meetings ensure that we will see each other with some regularity. Much more fun than the agenda is catching up with each other about what’s going on in our lives. At the moment, of course, we are anxiously awaiting word about the birth of Laura and Matt’s first child.

It’s not surprising to me that the mission of so many of the new ministries seeded by Wheat Ridge is focused on helping people be good neighbors. Some of these organizations even have names such as Project Neighbors and Neighborhood House that makes their commitment to helping people serve their neighbors perfectly clear. Some of these new ministries help those being released from prison reintegrate into their neighborhoods and communities. Others provide support for people in neighborhoods who have lost their jobs or kids whose neighborhoods lack a safe place to play after school or during the summer. All of these efforts are supported by neighbors from around the country and the world who are partners with Wheat Ridge Ministries in the seeding of new ministries of health and hope.

One of my favorite TV sitcoms several years ago was Home Improvement. In almost every episode, the man who lived in the home behind Tim “the tool man” Taylor and his family would appear at the fence separating their properties. I especially enjoyed the way he greeted Tim with a friendly “hi-di-ho neighbor!” before dispensing some sage advice or words of encouragement. The show always reminded me of the blessing of caring neighbors.

God’s gifts of health and hope are so abundant and not the least of these is the gift of good neighbors. I pray that your summer will be filled with many opportunities to enjoy your neighbors and to be a good neighbor. Try greeting them with a big “hi-di-ho” as you benefit from the fellowship, support and friendship that good neighbors share!

We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next-door neighbor.
Gilbert K. Chesterton