As I shared in June in this post, every once in a while I read a few pages from my Mr. Rogers book, as there is always a lesson to be learned from him.
These are the words I’m pondering lately:
“We’re all neighbors. Everybody’s different. And there are some things about everybody that are the same. That’s what’s wonderful. That’s what helps us to understand each other. That we’ve got some things inside of us that are the same as somebody else’s. We’re all humans.”
Our now 5YO granddaughter loves the word “humans.” And there is something about the way the word rolls off her tongue which makes me realize the sanctity in the word. Humans are people who share some common characteristics and those very characteristics make us all equal in some way.
Neighbors are those persons who are near another. Maybe that is what became confusing to the lawyer who asked Jesus the question, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus proceeds to answer the question with the parable of The Good Samaritan. The Samaritans were hated by the Jews. Jesus wisely flips the hero of the story to be the Samaritan. It wasn’t the Jewish people helping the Samaritan. It was the Samaritan who displayed love to the one who hated him. It was the Samaritan who risked his life and spent his own money to tend to the Jew and make sure he was well cared for as he healed.
It was the Samaritan who defined the word “neighbor” not only for the Jewish lawyer, but for us all.
Our neighbors:
- can live on either side of us
- can live in the same house as us
- sit next to us in church
- are in line at the supermarket with us
- sit near us in the doctor’s waiting room
- are in school with us
- work with us
- drive on the same roads as us
As the conversation between the lawyer and Jesus continued, Jesus asks him, “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”Â
Two men had literally walked passed the beaten man without offering any help. The lawyer had heard the story and rightly responds, “The one who showed mercy toward him.”
We don’t need any reason to offer mercy to another other than they are a human, a person in need. Jesus tells the lawyer, and us today, “Go and do the same.”
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
    and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
    and to walk humbly with your God.”
(Micah 6:8, NLT)
**You can read the parable of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37.
I love the lessons Natalie Osbourne brings from her Yellowstone Park hikes. Each one truly is a gem. In her post, Don’t Walk Alone: How to be Prepared (HERE), she reminds us that there will be drama we must deal with when part of a herd. But we need the herd. Be sure to read her post for we need her wise reminders.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
This is especially convicting to me when I run errands. I tend to have blinders on and want to get in, get out, and get home as soon as possible. I might respond to someone who makes a comment about the price of things or asks where something is, but otherwise, my mindset is “Do not engage.” Yet we never know who needs a bit of light or a word on encouragement.
A good reminder, Joanne, to expand our boundaries because everyone is our human neighbor.
I wonder if the word “mercy” sort of falling out of common use is impacting our behavior toward our neighbors…?
You raise a most provoking thought!
Joanne, loved your point, “We don’t need any reason to offer mercy to another other than they are a human.”
I’ve always been taught a neighbor is anyone you come in contact with. Living in a rural community as I do, it’s a good reminder to me that neighbors, or “humans” as your granddaughter says, are people I need to be paying attention to. It’s too easy to get wrapped up in my own world!
What an important, an encouraging, reminder that is Ms. Joanne. Thank you ma’am. We are called to serve all mankind, not just those we like or want to like us. In the same way, we are called to be good stewards of the manifold blessings of land, resources, and animals (all of which we have been given domain over) He has provided us with. God’s blessings gentle friend.
Joanne, I enjoy your Mr. Rogers and your granddaughter lessons. Thanks for sharing.
I love this Joanne. I try to intentionally be mindful weather I’m home or out and about. I believe in showing others Grace, you never know how a simple hello can brighten someone’s day. Indeed we are neighbors.
{{Hugs}}
Thank you, Joanne for the reminder of our neighbors being all around us! I somehow feel like the sanctity of “humanness” has been overlooked and redefined. Jesus gave us a simple definition which applies to everyday life. May we seek to show more mercy to our neighbors!
A beautiful reminder Joanne that everyone is our neighbour. I love the lessons God has for us that come out of the mouths of babes.
Blessings to you sweet friend,
Jennifer
I especially love your (and your granddaughter’s) musings about “humans” since it is my word of the year. Great point: “We don’t need any reason to offer mercy to another other than they are a human, a person in need.” Yes!
I was thinking of you as I read this, Lisa!
Such beautiful thoughts, Joanne. Thank you for hosting the link-up. God bless you!😊
Joanne, I love how you’ve expanded the definition of “neighbor” to include many more than those who live next door. Even now, as I sit in a big room at the library, I seem so many humans who are made in God’s image, just like me. 🙂
For some of us, it’s more challenging to be a neighbor to strangers and for others, it’s harder to be a kind neighbor to those in our own homes. May we be willing to grow in both areas.