It is almost 12PM on a Saturday in the library, and time for me to join in Five Minute Friday. It is so nice to step away from the week and make my way here to write, read and be encouraged. Learn about and join in Five Minute Friday here.
Today’s word: Neighbor
START
When I was quite young, we lived in one of those dream neighborhoods-well a dream neighborhood for kids at least. We had lemonade stands, magic shows, neighborhood block parties, neighborhood water fights, and we definitely all played together. The adults all knew each other. We knew most of our neighbors and could count on them if our parents weren’t home from work or we needed a drink from their hose (can’t believe we did that back then).
Sometimes I wish I could go back there. I don’t really think the neighborhood is the same, but it was a great place at that time in life.
As a single mom, I lived in a pretty decent neighborhood. God blessed me with a very small attic apartment in an old Victorian three-family home. The first floor neighbors had three boys and one was born literally three days before my own son. They were fast friends growing up and again I got to be a part of back yard water fights, bubble blowing parties, and football games. Being a neighbor didn’t mean we were all best friends, but we were all there for each other. You handed over sugar or eggs when the need arose. You gave a ride to the airport when needed. You watched each other’s kids or even picked them up from school.
I had to leave that neighborhood though. A bad relationship was dangerous and we had to move across the country to get away for safety.
Cut 12 years later, I am happily married to the sweetest guy ever and we are praying for our new neighbors. We haven’t moved to our future neighborhood so it is all speculation on what it will be like. I’m hopeful though. We don’t expect we will find the exact neighborhood living that we may have had in the past, but I am thinking more and more that maybe we can get there…if we pray now as we search and if we start with us.
STOP
I really had no idea where this was going to go, but I guess because a home is at the forefront of my mind, I am just stuck on the waiting.
I look forward to reading your posts!
I really loved it! It reads like the beginning of a novel. You could keep it and expand on it when you have moved in and made your new home and gotten to know your new neighbors. Great job! (from FMFriday)
Thank you for visiting Kirsten. I really can’t wait to have neighbors again and really lean into being a good neighbor. Have a wonderful week!
This reminds me of the neighborhood my sister and I grew up in. So many great memories. I’m in the 51 spot this week.
Tara I totally can’t wait for a new neighborhood to really invest in. I was blessed to have a few. Happy Birthday!
Kelly, thanks for sharing some of your memories of being part of a group of caring neighbors. Your statement, ” I am thinking more and more that maybe we can get there…if we pray now as we search and if we start with us” is wonderful. May God grant you the desire of your heart. Blessings.
Thank you Esther for your beautiful encouragement. You are always so genuine and caring. Thank you for visiting me. I believe God will reward our patience in His time. 🙂
Sounds like you had a wonderful neighborhood experience growing up.
I’m confident that God will give you exactly what you need (and opportunities to be used by him) in your future neighborhood.
Keep praying and follow God’s lead.
Blessings to you as you walk in Him.
Thank you so much Cheryl. I appreciate the blessings. It is funny that this could qualify as one of those worst times in life and yet our perspective has been totally shifted to the blessings that we DO have. He is so good! Thank you for visiting!
My childhood was very similar to yours. Lots of great memories of all our escapades. I liked where you took me in this post. I gained a glimpse into your life. Praying with you that God is ahead of you preparing the right neighborhood for you.
Thank you Stephanie. I think living where we are right now has really brought an appreciation back to me. God has been so good to us, but boy are we in a humbling season! Thank you for visiting! I only wish I had internet so I could visit everyone more often.
I loved this post! I haven’t thought about my childhood neighborhood in awhile – but it, too, was pretty perfect. Of course, as I kid I thought they were all like that…only long after you are grown and gone do you realize how blessed you were! And, we always drank out of the hose!!:) The anticipation of new neighbors and a new home/neighborhood is always fun. Praying your new one will be all things exciting!
Thanks for stopping by the other day!!
Thanks so much for visiting Jennifer. Thanks for the prayers for our new neighborhood. I am really excited about the possibilities! Thanks for visiting too!