My Loving Neighbors 🏘

I pray my home is as welcoming and peaceful as my childhood neighbor’s home.

The Bright House, as we liked to call it, was across the street from my childhood home. I was always welcomed there with milk, cookies, and a hug.

My best friend lived there. She and I were like sisters. We shared so many good times together.

Mr. And Mrs. Bright were a peaceful, gracious, quiet couple. I never once heard them raise their voices or say a negative word.

I called Mrs. Bright my “other mother”. And I remember thinking that the saying, “Walk tall and carry a big stick.”, was referring to Mr. Bright. He never spoke. He just hunted, grilled, and smiled a lot. But, one time, I accidentally kicked him under the table after a long day at the beach. He said, “Don’t do that again.” (The emphasis on Don’t) He was so sunburned. You can believe I didn’t move for the rest of that meal. I completely respected that man.

Mark 12:31 tells us to “Love our Neighbor as we love ourselves.”

The Brights loved me well. They loved me like family.

When I spilled coke on their brand new carpet, they just picked it up. Never once did they scold me or criticize me. We actually joked about my careless move that night and for years to come. They had a Graceful character that made me feel comfortable around them.

They invited me on their family vacations. They fed me thousands of meals. They weren’t nervous, hurried, frustrated, nor mad. Ever! And if they were, they hid it well. They just seemed to me to be the best neighbors anyone could ever have.

Looking back, I know it was because of their rock solid faith in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They were committed to their faith and their family. They attended the local Catholic Church. They were very active practicing Christians.

We were very active in our church also. My family of 7 outnumbered them by 3. And those 3 boys caused a lot of tension in our family. When the arguments started, I loved to run across the street to my home away from home. They were a shelter, a stronghold, like Jesus is now.

I pray you have neighbors like the Bright Family. And I pray we can be that neighbor for someone else. and I pray that Jesus is a priority in all of our homes.

If you’re struggling to know your neighbors, I pray you’ll make an effort to get along with them. It may be a memory that will impact you or your family for years to come.

Remember, Jesus Loves you!

So Carrie On and Stay High!

Carrie