A couple week's ago I was at Ryan's house and him and his roommates Paul and John were talking about helping their neighbor. The neighbor is handicap and lives with his mom in a home that has been in the family for around 100 years. The guys have started building a relationship with their neighbor this past year, and through conversation saw that one way they could help out was to re-paint the outside of the house.
They asked me and some of our friends to join them. They got material, bought food and drinks, and had our church partner 2nd Saturday help with supplies that we could use for scrapping, painting etc. So this past weekend we spent all day Saturday and Sunday re-doing this family home.
While we were working on Saturday the lady that lived across the street came by to see what was going on and spent time chatting with some of our crew about how the guys saw a need and knew they were able, so they decided to help.
The next day the neighbor on the other side of them had seen us working on Saturday so he came on Sunday wanting to help us. Up the ladder he went and he spent some of his day helping us paint.
At the end of the day Sunday some people who live several blocks over drove to the house because they had seen us working all weekend and knew it had to "be something special going on". They decided to bring our crew dinner and drinks!
I then went by the house last night after my bible study got out to say hi to Ryan and saw Paul and John up on ladders until after 10pm continuing to work on the house. I was in awe.
These guys are living out this scripture:
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
- Matthew 22:35-40
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16
It was awesome that in helping one family, others around saw their "good deeds" and even more opportunities were given to share Christ and point back to Him.
As I reflect on this weekend I am encouraged and challenged by Ryan, Paul, and John. I am challenged by how they slowed down enough to get to know their neighbor, and looked for a way they could help. I am encouraged by how selfless they were in wanting to do this without anything in return.
I thank the Lord for these guys and the way they are loving their neighbor and reflecting Christ to their neighborhood. I am thankful for the way they are sharing Christ with me.
I pray that we all would be encouraged by this to look for opportunities big and small (it doesn't have to be painting an entire house), to love and help those around us. I pray that God is given much glory and praise because of us as believers being the hands and feet of Christ.
Thank you guys for letting me help your neighbor, it truly was a blessing for me as well.
