Who is my neighbor?

As God so graciously does, He brought some new folks to us through some random circumstances and we have made fast friends.  Shay, Shane, and Rob travel around the country in two trucks- being led by the Holy Spirit- they minister to the homeless of a city for a while before they move on.  The "stuff" that people give to them (hygiene products, clothes, food, etc.) is collected in their truck beds and distributed to the needy.  When they have enough gas money, they drive to the next ministry opportunity. 

Conversations with them have been an incredible encouragement to our family.  I remember when Eric and I used to travel in much the same way as they do.  We had a handicap van we called "Gus the Bus" with horns mounted on the front, a makeshift queen-size bed in the back, and tropical print curtains.  It was freeing moving about the country on the hospitality of strangers- making friends in every town.  Living minimalist. 

Shay, Shane, and Rob have me thinking about intentional living.. or.. living intentionally- for Christ.  Some would say that we already live intentionally, but in all honesty, we fell into it quite by accident and have stumbled through living intentionally in community.  Eric and I tried community living in Cincinnati and sucked at it.  We learned about how to (and how not to) live in a community with common-minded folks.  Anyway, I think God is gently reintroducing the idea of communal living- an exciting and terrifying future.

And even as I say this, I hear the man ask Jesus, "well, who is my neighbor anyway?"  Who is this community that we are supposed to be a part of?  The Holy Spirit whispers...Well, don't you have a few houses around yours?  Don't you have some people that live on your same street?  Don't you have some neighborhood children that knock on the door and climb the fence begging for Popsicle and band aids?  Are they not your community?  Are they not your neighbors? 

Invite them in.
Start a community garden.
Host a Bible study.
Serve a regular neighborhood meal.
Organize a kid's weekend day camp.
Have a Halloween party.
Love.

We have a long way to go.

Community.  Intentional living.  It isn't only with people under your roof.  Living for Christ is with your neighbors... right next door.

think about it,
b.