By Mickey Mallory
We love our neighbors. We truly believe that God placed us together on the same cul de sac.
While shopping at Costco one November a few years ago, we came across a snowblower for sale and decided to buy it. Even though we had not received any significant snowfalls up until that point, we figured it would be good to have in case that ever happened. Not just for our driveway and sidewalks, but for the neighbors too.
After several months of barely any snow, we finally received our first significant snowfall. We were so excited. We were going to get to use our new snowblower!
Once we started removing snow, we were amazed at how efficient the snowblower was. By the end of the morning, we had not only removed the snow in our own surroundings, but also the snow on several of our neighbors’ driveways and sidewalks.
One of the neighbors, who works as a nurse and whose husband is unable to do much because of a back issue, was especially appreciative. It meant so much to her that we would help her and her husband. She was so appreciative that she baked cookies for us.
Because of their challenges, we adopted their driveway and sidewalk as our own for snow removal. Every accumulating snow, we are over at their house helping them out. It makes us happy to see how happy they are when they go out and see all the snow removed.
It is truly amazing to see how God has used the snow removal to bring us closer together. We now have a close relationship. Whenever there is something that we think they would be interested in, we let them know about it.
Last December, my wife was singing in the choir at the Campion Church for a Christmas program, so we invited Myriam and Scott to come, and they did! I must say it was very special to sit with my neighbors at church.
Now, since they know we are believers in God, they don’t hesitate to text us with prayer requests. The most recent one was that her husband had a scary heart issue and she wanted us to pray for him. So, we prayed for him. Thankfully, he is doing much better. They are so excited about his progress that they invited us to come and visit them at their home tomorrow.
I’m not sure what God is up to, but we are going to continue be helpful to our neighbors. If he wants us to have spiritual conversations with them, he will guide us on what we should say.
As I reflect on how Jesus was willing to come to earth, our cul de sac in the universe, some 2000 years ago and help remove our sin, my heart is filled with love and appreciation. If he did that much for us, why wouldn’t we be willing to reach out and help our neighbors?
—Mickey Mallory is RMC ministerial director. Photo by Rawpixel.
