The list of prayer requests continues to grow: another extended family member with cancer, a friend calls to tell me about the hard situation she’s dealing with, neighbors struggling with COVID, another friend still out of work…The list goes on and on and that’s not even our own personal, family requests we’re praying about.
Sometimes as I’m praying through the long list I get so discouraged. So many people hurting, so many struggling, and so many seeking answers. When will the Lord return and make all things new? When will He restore the earth and take us with Him to eternity? Some days I long for that so much.
Then my next thought is…what can I do? What can I do for the people around me? How do you form relationships with strangers? With your neighbors? Two things. Make yourself available and watch and listen well. Take walks around your neighborhood. Not only is it good exercise, but it puts you right on someone’s front sidewalk if they happen to be outside. It gives you a chance to introduce yourself if you haven’t already. It creates an opportunity for conversation. At first, maybe you talk about the weather, and over time, real heart issues. Or sit outside the front of your house on nice evenings to catch people as they walk past YOUR house. Resist the temptation to be a hermit; never interacting with those around you.
Secondly, as you begin to form relationships with people, start listening for the needs they have. Is someone sick in their house? Have they just welcomed a new baby to their family? Can you take them a meal to help lighten their load? Do you have extra cookies from the batch you just made? Delivering a small treat to someone’s door may be a bit of sunshine to them in the midst of something hard. Is there someone elderly near you who could use a ride to an appointment? Or maybe they could use a few groceries while you’re already out getting yours. Is someone really struggling and needs a listening ear? Invite them over for a cup of coffee or tea – or dinner! Or just listen right then and there on the street. Maybe you have a drawer of stationary and notecards not being used. Send a note of encouragement to someone in the mail. Ask God to bring to mind people that need a boost and then as He does, get writing!
How Anna plays piano when James is playing drums at the same time.
So much about being there for others is adjusting our own time and schedule. We’ve eaten many a late dinner because neighbors stopped us outside and we ended up talking for a long time. One morning a neighbor texted to see if I was home, announced she was coming over, and ended up sitting on my couch for close to three hours. She needed to talk, thankfully I was home, and the things I was planning to do that morning were pushed aside. And that’s okay. I ask the Lord every morning to guide my day – to show me what He has for me and what I’m supposed to spend my time doing. Clearly, I was to be a friend that morning rather than working around the house. When we invite the Lord into our day, then interruptions and changes to our schedule become divine appointments. The Lord wants to use us to do His work. But we have to be willing and available.
One final thought…there are seasons where we are simply surviving and there is no extra left for others. I understand that and frequently experience it. In those times, it is all we can do just to care for the immediate family the Lord has given us. And that’s okay. He’ll use someone else to do His work. But when we have margin and can build it in to our lives, it is a wonderful, amazing thing to see what God will do through us.
My college friend, Amy, came to visit again!
What can you do to ease the hurt or burden from someone you know?