As Jesus was on his way… (Luke 8:42b).

Have you noticed how Jesus is often “on his way” when opportunities to be a good neighbor present themselves?

I hope this encourages you as it does me. It means as we are “on our way,” going about our business or pleasure, opportunities may present themselves to us, too. (Being immersed in a sermon series called “Won’t You Be a Neighbor?” sure helps us recognize them!)

Last Wednesday I headed out for a Briar Chapel trail walk. My favorite podcast had posted, and I was so immersed in it I barely noticed the teenage girl sitting on the trail-side tree trunk seat; until I had passed her. 

“She looks sad,” I thought. “Should I go back and talk to her?”

I looked back. She was talking on her phone. I continued on my way.

I seldom double back on a trail, but that day I did. And not because of the girl, because I had forgotten about her. Until, there she was, still on the tree trunk seat.

I stopped. I asked her if she could use someone to talk to. She smiled and told me she was talking to her Mimi.

I am sharing this because I think God knows we need to learn to be a good neighbor little by little, one neighbor at a time, one Spirit-nudge at a time—on our way. 

Often, we will be a neighbor just by helping someone who is struggling with their grocery cart, or waiting forever to pull into traffic, or looking sad and alone.

One thing Jesus showed us is that He was never so intent on getting to where He was going—even to attend to Jairus’s dying daughter—to ignore those who showed up needing Him—like the suffering woman. 

Unless we have had the same neighbors for years, or our neighborliness is legend, we will probably not have lots of neighbors come to our door for help. (I do realize we live in the South, so forgive me for thinking like a Northerner here!)  But we will become aware of their needs as we are on our way.  

Another benefit of thinking in terms of being “on our way” is that it accommodates those we live with. If you are a mom or dad with small children or the caregiver of a family member, for a season your “on the way” will mostly happen at home. 

By the way, as you are “on your way” remember to also be a good neighbor to yourself. Think of it as a new take on being “beside yourself.”