Who is my neighbor?
One thing I never really took into account as a rookie homeowner is exactly who my neighbors would be. I didn’t think too hard about how who they are and how they live might affect life for me. However, it has not taken long to realize I don’t have much choice. If I were to choose my neighbors, they might look an awful lot more like me. They might share similar interests, similar values, similar noise tolerances, similar bed-times, maybe even similar care for lawn appearances. But, I’m not the one to choose. They come and go as they please. They are who they are and it might be better that they are not like me.
Who is my neighbor?
The other day I had an experience with another “neighbor” I also did not choose. His name is Jan. Jan is at what I would consider to be a tough place in life. He has some mental issues (schizophrenia and probably others) so that he is a little off his rocker, can’t really support or take care of himself, and likes to call on his “friends” at the Reidland Church whenever he needs something big or small. If I’m honest, he can be pretty annoying and if one didn’t know better he could easily be profiled a stalker, but, he is still a human being with needs.
This time he needed to pick something up from social services (something about a pillow and a teddy bear). So myself, and our church secretary left to go pick the items up from the center to take to him. His house (self-described as the prettiest one in all of Paducah) was a run down mess yet boasting all the colors of the rainbow. As we pulled up (in the rain) he was sitting on his porch, shirtless with ripped jean shorts and long shaggy hair, smoking a cigarette. The best way I can describe him is to picture Tom Hanks’ character toward the end of “Castaway” before he gets rescued off the island! I carried the sack of “goodies” from the car to the porch but Jan asked me to come inside for a minute. I couldn’t help but feel a little on edge not knowing what to expect.
The inside was dirty, smelly and there was a picnic table in the living area as furniture. A few animals scurried around. One small “weenie” dog in particular started jumping up my leg. Jan said, “that’s Sassy…ya want to meeeet his wiiife?! (accent included) As he said so, he pulled another dog from behind the couch holding her high for me to see. He held her so that he could peek under her belly and exclaimed, “she’s preg-nant!” Unsure of exactly how to respond I said, “well, it’s nice to meet her.” Then he introduced me to his “wheelchair friend” Chris who was there visiting. I said hello but proceeded to inform them that I needed to leave.
As I turned Chris asked, “will you at least pray with us before you go?” How am I supposed to turn down a request like that…so I began to pray with them… “God, thank you for providing these things and thank you that we were able to bring these items to…(before I could say his name Jan exclaimed…to Jan! and to Chris!)…yes to Jan and to Chris. And I pray that you will bless them…(Jan interrupted again—we need to pray that you drive home safe in the rain cause the roads are slick)…and for our safety. Thank you for our time together…Amen.”
They both expressed their gratitude but Jan had something else in mind… “Mike, I’ve got something else for you!” Before I knew what was happening Jan reached for a bottle and started spraying me with cologne. I tried to turn and move out of the way but just a few seconds created a smell that lasted the day. I can now look back and reflect that Jan simply wanted me to leave in the aroma of Christ! Needless to say, it was quite an experience…
Who is my neighbor?
I don’t always want to admit it but my neighbors are much more than who is defined by geography or location. And, it remains the same that when it comes to neighbors I don’t get to choose. These neighbors still come and go as they please. That day, Jan was my neighbor and he reminded me that I was blessed with the opportunity to be a sweet smelling aroma of Christ to him. He’s not like me, he’s different, he’s even a little unsettling at times, but he is still another wonderful creation of the Creator who created you and me to be neighbors.
God, help me be open to loving the “Jan’s” of the world as I pursue the call you have for all of us to “love your neighbor!”
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It's good you remind me to appreciate "Neighbors." We had a neighbor come over yesterday morning, saying that someone at our cookout had taken the hood ornament off his Mercedes. That is the only conversation we've ever had with him--which of course shows we are not "good" neighbors either. But how sad that people only talk to their neighbors when they want to complain. Guess I need to spray myself liberally and be the aroma of Christ.
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