Surprise!

This week held two significant days for me personally.  One was surrounded by people who take their neighbourhoods seroiusly and have invested in them greatly.  I met a man who has lived on his street for 25 years and has led 25 people on his street to follow Christ.  Another elderly gentlemen told me that 6 years ago he did not want to move to Victoria, BC because of his grandchildren but today he will not move because of his compassion and love for his neighbours.  It was inspiring to be surrounded by people like these who are invested in the very place they live.  Second, I was at a gathering surrounded by my neighbours for whom I have had a growing compassion and love.  One gentleman who grew up with the Scriptures and the church

professed to having lost his faith.  Another single mother shared her many life lessons while standing next to her teenage daughter.   I listened for a couple of hours as my food became cold.  These are two neighbours who surprised  me because they could teach and preach better than most.  It surprised me to encounter beautiful people who need to be heard...and loved!

Harvesting in the neighbourhood

This summer has been filled with many stories.  Stories are valuable.  We often want to tell them or hear them, but most of all, experience them.  We often find that our encounter with neighbours is facilitated by something that happens to us.  The beauty comes in redeeming what has been left broken, or creating when it is not expected.  For example, the harvest season usually leads to new connections or new ideas when we ask neighbours to share in the experience.  Harvesting opens many doors and windows for us to discuss the faithfulness of the seasons, the faithfulness of God and the miracle of new growth.