Just Like a Good Neighbor

Just Like a Good Neighbor

I am currently having to adjust to getting older and it has been a rather challenging ordeal. I am sure there are those reading this who can identify with this dilemma and the sense of helplessness when confronted with a task that is beyond their ability. I am finding out everyday that more and more work opportunities are becoming things I used to be able to do.

Kim wants our master bedroom painted and I am going to do the painting. I assessed the situation and was humbled and disappointed when I thought to myself… “I’m gonna have to get someone to move the furniture around and get the bed, mattress, and box springs out of that room.” In years past I would’ve simply singlehandedly manhandled that mattress and “rassled” those box springs out of the room. I have discovered, much to my disappointment that those days are over. I am learning something I never wanted to become familiar with – accepting help, seeking assistance, and being a gracious receiver.

It was humbling this weekend when my neighbor Tim spotted me in the front yard doing my best to remove a stump from my front flowerbed. The task was quite a chore and after a week of digging, cutting, and sawing I began estimating time of removal to be sometime in early 2025. “Preacher”, Tim said, “ I have a person coming to grind three stumps in my yards tomorrow. I am gonna send him your way and I am telling him to do away with yours too”. I didn’t ask Tim for help. In fact, I was convinced I could do it all myself. I realized it was time to be a gracious receiver as I reached for my wallet and pretended to prepare to pay him something. It is imperative that any honorable person do “the back pocket billfold thing” and if the offer to reimburse is refused then say thank you!

The next day my other neighbor, Butch, saw me removing an old dog lot and volunteered his services. Once again I resisted and made offers of payback. But my backdoor friend refused to take anything and he just wanted to help and he did until I dug up a giant colony of fire ants and they put us both out if commission for the day. As I struggled to kill the ants that covered my body, Butch continued to work until he too was overrun by these little black insects. Here are some lessons to be learned from these acts of generosity and services:

  • Appreciate your good neighbors.
  • Realize that you need help sometimes.
  • Be a gracious receiver.
  • Pay it forward. Help somebody yourself.

During this strange time in our history there are people who want to serve and minister. They are not to be taken advantage of but to be appreciated friends doing what God asks of us all.

Andy O.