We are starting to get in back to school mode around these parts. I know because I woke up early all this week and just stared at the ceiling trying to decide what I wanted to dive into to get accomplished.....making the girls try on all their shoes? Trying on school clothes to make sure they fit? Changing out some summer stuff for fall stuff?....buying school supplies? Stocking up the fridge and pantry now that I will be back to cooking a lot more than in the summer months? Yesterday I felt a little overwhelmed when I realized we only have one week left....ahhhh! So, I decided to divide and conquer. I made the school supply list into a game for the girls to run around the house and find things we already have so I don't buy them again. That went really well, so I didn't have to spend nearly as much money on supplies. The two oldest are all finished with the clothing/shoes parts of the tasks and I took the youngest three to buy their school supplies.
I love that they get super excited about getting ready for school :) Now, I just have to flip and do it all again with the other girls.
I don't return to work officially until September 2nd, but there is always a campus-wide meeting in August that I attend and try to catch up on any changes that have happened while I have been off for two months. That meeting was today. The devotional time was about being a good neighbor....and the speaker drew her insight from the parable of the Good Samaritan.
I got to catch up regarding some work changes, but I also found out some tough news about a couple work acquaintances /coworkers who recently went through divorces. They both kept their personal issues very private, so it was a shock to find out they had been dealing with all of that over the last year or more and it broke my heart that I was not able to be more of a friend or a prayer support to them. You know how people usually respond like this.....
even when there is often a lot more that is less than FINE under the surface. I'M GUILTY!
Anyway, today's devotional and that news reminded me to make more of an effort to live outside of myself and my family.... to be more intentional to pray for people I come into contact with.....I don't have to pry to pray...you know. And, to always choose kindness regardless of what I receive on the other end. One of the quotes I wrote down from today's talk was..."Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." Sometimes we really have no clue what others are going through.....but, that doesn't mean their life is just peachy....everyone needs prayer for something.
Being a neighbor isn't just something about proximity....Jesus explains that so well...it is about showing mercy.....seeing needs....reaching out.....compassion coupled with commitment....really, GOING THE DISTANCE (even when it takes us outside our "neighborhood"....let's think of that as our comfort zone).
Because we are supposed to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. (Totally awesome image!)
It is such a perspective changer to think of ourselves as the ones bleeding and half dead on the road....instead of wondering if we would be a person to stop and help. Have you ever been in a situation where you desperately needed help?
I think the question should not be so much "who is my neighbor?".....because that is more of an inward focus....like, how far do I HAVE to extend my kindness? as it should be, "Like a good neighbor, AM I THERE for others?" I don't want to be one who just passes by.....I want to be a neighbor who sticks by.
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