It is a joy to reach out to our neighbors, for a variety of reasons. One being that neighbors are close by and are often a wonderful source of help in an emergency.
We were living in Southern California, and our homes were situated on a relatively short street. In that climate people are often outside more than any other area of the country. We loved living there and felt very comfortable in this new ared. Being newcomers, we also began learning the names of our neighbors, their children and their pets. I pray for these people on Thursdays. You may wonder if prayer makes a difference. Yes, it does, for many reasons – including remembering names.
In this little story, God was orchestrating a new adventure on behalf of our neighbors two doors down. God wanted to let them know that having a relationship with Him comes as a package of caring from others.
Being visible and available in your front yard regularly offers many open opportunities for friendship. A woman who lived a couple of houses away from us appeared at our front door one evening. After a brief hello, she asked me if I could do her a favor. I had no idea this might lead, but I agreed with the stipulation of “if I could help, I would.”
She began sharing her need. Since it was around Christmas time, and she and her husband had purchased a puppy for their two children. At this point of the conversation, I couldn’t imagine how I could be involved, but it didn’t take long to be included in her dilemma.
She had made arrangements to pick up the puppy the following evening, and needed a “housing arrangement” with someone who would care for this little furry critter. If you know me, you know that I love animals, and puppies are very high on my affection index. Of course, this “hotel arrangement” would only be needed for a few hours. I thought about the challenge as she was describing his size.
I didn’t see this as a problem and after all, I could enjoy this little bundle of enthusiasm for a few hours before he was to be introduced to his new family.
The following evening, I readied our kitchen ready for his rambunctious arrival. He remained in my boarding house for about two hours … just enough time for him to get accustomed to my scent and my tone of voice. Soon, the woman picked up this furry bundle of energy and took him to his new home….just two doors down. Aaah, all was well.
This little energizer bunny seemed to enjoy his new family and often they would walk him past our home each morning and evening. Every time they went past our home, and I was visible, his entire body would shake enthusiastically. He must have remembered that my kitchen was his first “adoptive home” in the neighborhood.
One day while I was out front in my garden, this little dog scurried past me like lightning down the street all by himself. Because I love animals, I noticed that he was on his own and this was not good. He was so tiny and alone, I did not even want to think of the possible outcome.
I offered up a quick “Help me to catch this dog, Lord.” I called out his name and he remarkably came back running towards me. I drew a big breath of thanksgiving and carried him to his own home. The family had no idea of his disappearance.
This escape artist repeated his adventures frequently in our neighborhood. This wee furry ball discovered happiness in disappearing, and wouldn’t respond to his owners. However, if they were able to locate me, I could call out and he would respond and return to sound of my voice. I soon became the “fetch-that-dog lady.”
One day they asked me why the dog would come to me and not to them. The man of the house had observed that whenever I went looking for the dog and called out his name, he would respond and bound back happily in my direction. I paused, and shared with him that I had prayed and asked the Lord for His help. It took several more times of my intervening retrieval before they began to realize that God really cared as I had told them.
A few years later we were about to move to another part of the country. This couple arrived at my front door with a little gift. I thought it was appropriate to open it immediately as they were standing there and seemed excited to see my reaction. Secretly I thought this package was too small for a furry surprise, so with nervous anticipation I hurriedly opened the gift to see what was in the package. It was a Willow Tree “Angel of Prayer” figurine.
They wanted me to have this as a reminder that they remembered that prayer makes a difference, and that God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. For that matter God delights in every small detail of our lives.
Psalm 37:23 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.” nlt
I think of this family whenever I view the little figurine on my bookcase. It’s a reminder to me too, that God knows and cares about our every need.
Cups of Cold Water 