Tear Down Those Fences

(copied from my 360.yahoo.com blog dated 1/24/08)

Dr. Phil says all the time, "Good fences make good neighbors." Seems like wisdom, doesn't it? Set boundaries in your relationships and be a happier person.

Or does it simply mean, "you mind your own business, and I will mind my own business, and we will get along"? This is the way I grew up. It works well. You wave to your neighbor when he or she drives by. When you're out riding your bike or working in the yard, you stop for a brief conversation. But you don't get involved. And because everyone is minding their own business there is peace in the hood.

To me, the statement "Good fences make good neighbors" implies don't get involved. The more I think about it, the more it seems totally wrong. There are people out there with needs. You will never know what they are needing if you don't become involved.

So, I say get involved. Get to know your neighbors. Try tearing down those fences. Show God's love by building relationships instead of fences.

Boy, I sound bossy! I just know that ever since I married my husband, an individual who will not settle for fences (literally and figuratively) my life has been filled with a tapestry of personalities, backgrounds, hopes, fears. And, I have never had a bad experience getting to know my neighbors. In fact, there are special memories I will always cherish because I went the extra mile to get to know my neighbors. Like 80 year old Claire swimming in the pool every night, and her husband watering their lawn in his rain coat and boots. They are a beautiful couple. Getting to know them made these images so much more significant. I will never forget them.

Will you experiment with me? Will you invite neighbors that you don't know well over or out for dinner? Will you take time to get to know them? Will you ask them how you can pray for them? I will do the same. Then, I would love to hear how that went for you. I would like to see this concept unfold and hear how God has worked in your life and theirs through obedience to his call to relationship and community.