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Why Neighborhood Relationships Are Sacred

March 13, 2019 by Stephanie Leave a Comment

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“Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?” The song plays as a soundtrack in the back of my mind as I scurry around town checking off items on my list: pay the water bill, deposit money at the bank, pick up a few items at the grocery store, and indulge in an iced coffee (well, that wasn’t actually on the list.) Familiar characters from Sesame Street serenade me with their chorus.

I find it amusing and yet profound that those simple lessons from childhood continue to speak into my life today. The voices challenge me to think about the answer to the question. In a culture of fast paced, rapidly impersonal exchanges with humanity, recognizing the faces in my community becomes challenging.
Who are the people in my neighborhood? Some are close friends; people with whom I have shared life for up to two decades. We become extended family; sharing the old fashioned act of borrowing a cup of sugar, watching each others’ children, providing meals in times of adversity, driving kids to school and generally doing life together.

The People Who make Up Our Rhythms

Other people in my sphere are not people with whom I interact daily but are familiar faces in the routines of my life. I think of the cashier at the grocery store with whom I exchange pleasantries and small talk a few times a week as she scans my forgotten items for dinner. We don’t know much about each other but have gained glimpses into each other’s world through finding common humanity as we share a laugh or frustration. The woman who waits on my family as we grab snacks at a fast food restaurant on our way to church also comes to mind. We know her now on a first name basis and when we arrive, she already knows what will be ordered. Though not all these relationships have the same depth, they have one thing in common: “connectedness.” 

Losing our connecting opportunities

One morning, as I woke up to the radio station set to my alarm, a woman’s voice convicted me that I also woke up to a new reality. As she spoke, I listened to her happily testify to an app she uses to order food and beverage. No phone call. No waiting in line. Simply show up at the appointed time and pick up the order.
What is happening to our connection to one another? I confess, as someone who is middle aged, it’s tempting to fall into the “when I was growing up…” train of thought. Every generation waxes nostalgically about their past while struggling to embrace changes in culture. However, this particular movement away from human connection really tugs at my heart.

The digital age appears to create an abundant number of ways in which we can increase our connections to one another. Social media allows us to initiate relationships with people across the globe. These relationships can offer opportunities to engage with diverse voices. However, it becomes tempting to quickly gravitate toward others according “categories.” therefore decreasing exposure to others different from ourselves.

The sacred significance of face to face encounters

I also wonder how many encounters in the “flesh” are being missed by engagement primarily online. If God’s character is revealed through the Imago dei found in all of us, what are the implications if we create barriers to encountering the breadth of human creation? C.S. Lewis writes in The Weight of Glory “There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal.”

A few years ago, my 18 year old son was searching for a local job. I was surprised at the impersonal process he encountered. Most applications he submitted were online and involved personality tests, questions with limited options for clarification, and background history. Only a few of the many applications submitted resulted in an interview. Most of them yielded no feedback at all; even with follow up phone calls. After a year, he finally landed a position. Ironically, it was one with a pop up store which interviewed on the spot after he inquired about a position in person.

I am reminded that not so long ago, looking for a first job involved filling out a paper application and then walking into a neighborhood shop inquiring of vacancies. In person. No personality test. No exhaustive background check. Risky? Probably. But a certain amount of risk is always involved in entering a relationship. What do we learn about each other as the relationship builds and more of our stories are disclosed?

Changing our social habits

Changing our habits does not come easy. Convenience will likely be sacrificed in order to engage in intentional connections. I am mindful of my own struggles yesterday. As I waited in the neighborhood pharmacy drive through, the woman in the other lane engaged in what felt like a lengthy conversation with the employee. The woman’s dog had accompanied her and became the theme of a mutual adoration for pets. At first, I felt frustration bubble below the surface of my skin. My patience was running low as I typically expect a quick turn around in a drive through. However, my own passionate thoughts about the void of human interaction broke through my impatience. I was waiting for a sacred purpose.

Little Steps

Isn’t this where it starts? I asked myself. Simple observations, Impromptu connections. Transformation on a small scale. Yes, I sit longer while they talk. When these connections multiply within my neighborhood, we all benefit. Trust. Education. Understanding, People are more than their names or titles. Imago Dei. A ripple of connections not only strengthens the fabric of a local community but also has implications globally..

I am inspired by Martin Luther King Jr’s words, “I admire the good Samaritan, but I don’t want to be one. I don’t want to spend my life picking up people by the side of the road after they have been beaten up and robbed. I want to change the Jericho road, so that everybody has an opportunity for a job, education, security, health.” By reframing how we view our interactions, we can see them as opportunities for transformation: for others and ourselves.

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Filed Under: Sacred Connections Tagged With: community, convenience, digital age, employment, errands, filters, friendship, Good Samaritan, human interaction, imago dei, impromptu discussions, Martin Luther King, neighbor, online, relationship, risk, sacred

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When my first child was born 20 plus years ago, I envisioned taking just a few years off from my role as Pastor of Youth and Family. While that didn’t exactly unfold as expected, God used my gifts and skills in other ways. Read More…

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s2thomp

#burningbushes #holyground #moses #godseesme "#div #burningbushes #holyground #moses #godseesme "#divinepurpose #redbudwriters
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Jesus’ invitation is enticing yet puzzling. “ Jesus’ invitation is enticing yet puzzling.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

What to make of his offer? Jesus just completed an emotionally filled rebuke of the towns which dismissed both his and John the Baptist’s words. Interestingly, he names whole towns. Were their individuals who were transformed in their thoughts and behaviors by the divine miracles they witnessed? We can only speculate. However, by naming whole towns, he indicates that individual actions contribute to corporate systems. Corrupt powers become familiar habits and the appetite for feeding them becomes insatiable. John and Jesus came to both convict and point them back to desiring the “very good” God provides for them. But turning back demands surrender to earthly gratification, human driven agendas and reasoning.

So the very towns which had witnessed the very signs of Immanuel (God with us) refused to repent of their human ideologies. In order to emphasize his point, Jesus compares them to towns whose names were already scandalously attached to sin. Whoa.

His invitation uses an analogy the crowd understood. Oxen are yoked together so that the more experienced one teaches and takes the burden of the other one as they navigate their course. God has come into their midst. There are no hierarchy obstacles or cultural/racial/gender barriers to being “yoked” with him. No religious bucket lists to follow. But rather, a relationship.

As Eugene Peterson translates in the Message:

 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30.

#Redbudwriter #stephaniejthompson #Jesusliberates #yolkofJesus
Recently, I experienced several “Moses moments.” As I went about my daily tasks, I encountered a “burning bush".: And then two more. They appeared in different forms than a bush. Actually digital communication. Nonetheless, they caught me by surprise and drew my attention.

God’s voice spoke through others to offer me opportunities to expand my writing voice. I was beckoned to venture into new territories. As my brain processed the implications, my body felt a wave of fear wash over me. I immediately secured myself in Moses's footprints.

My words echoed his, “But why me? (Exodus 3:11)

When one makes themselves available to being agents through whom God’s purposes unfold, we shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter burning bushes. But we are. Because in our humanity, we fear things that place us in positions outside our comfort zones. And even when God’s voice interrupts us to announce that our dreams are being realized, it can feel like too much. Did we really think God saw us? Heard us? Knows us?

But just like Moses heard, so did I. “I’ll be with you,” God said.

So with a bit of trembling in my voice, I said yes. But that wasn’t the end of it. Because just like in Moses’s narrative, his purpose was to show others the “I-AM-WHO-I-AM.” (Exodus 11:14). That audience includes both the direct participants of my calling but those with whom I share my vulnerable story. Of hopes. Divine interruptions. Trembling bodies. Trust in God.

I shared my story with my young adult kids and nieces. All of it. Nervous banter included. Because they are watching and discerning how we all fit into God’s big story. They are encountering their own Moses moments. Our lives flesh out the Biblical narratives for them and anchor them to the “I-AM-WHO-I-AM” who has been interrupting and empowering his people since the beginning of creation. We can all use the reminder that God calls us and uses us despite our insecurities, It is a beautiful truth.

#Redbudwriter #stephaniejthompson #Moses #parentingyoungadults #Godhearsyou
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s2thomp

#burningbushes #holyground #moses #godseesme "#div #burningbushes #holyground #moses #godseesme "#divinepurpose #redbudwriters
#rahab #godusespeopletohelppeople #womenofthebible #rahab #godusespeopletohelppeople #womenofthebible #redbudwriters
Jesus’ invitation is enticing yet puzzling. “ Jesus’ invitation is enticing yet puzzling.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

What to make of his offer? Jesus just completed an emotionally filled rebuke of the towns which dismissed both his and John the Baptist’s words. Interestingly, he names whole towns. Were their individuals who were transformed in their thoughts and behaviors by the divine miracles they witnessed? We can only speculate. However, by naming whole towns, he indicates that individual actions contribute to corporate systems. Corrupt powers become familiar habits and the appetite for feeding them becomes insatiable. John and Jesus came to both convict and point them back to desiring the “very good” God provides for them. But turning back demands surrender to earthly gratification, human driven agendas and reasoning.

So the very towns which had witnessed the very signs of Immanuel (God with us) refused to repent of their human ideologies. In order to emphasize his point, Jesus compares them to towns whose names were already scandalously attached to sin. Whoa.

His invitation uses an analogy the crowd understood. Oxen are yoked together so that the more experienced one teaches and takes the burden of the other one as they navigate their course. God has come into their midst. There are no hierarchy obstacles or cultural/racial/gender barriers to being “yoked” with him. No religious bucket lists to follow. But rather, a relationship.

As Eugene Peterson translates in the Message:

 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30.

#Redbudwriter #stephaniejthompson #Jesusliberates #yolkofJesus
Recently, I experienced several “Moses moments.” As I went about my daily tasks, I encountered a “burning bush".: And then two more. They appeared in different forms than a bush. Actually digital communication. Nonetheless, they caught me by surprise and drew my attention.

God’s voice spoke through others to offer me opportunities to expand my writing voice. I was beckoned to venture into new territories. As my brain processed the implications, my body felt a wave of fear wash over me. I immediately secured myself in Moses's footprints.

My words echoed his, “But why me? (Exodus 3:11)

When one makes themselves available to being agents through whom God’s purposes unfold, we shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter burning bushes. But we are. Because in our humanity, we fear things that place us in positions outside our comfort zones. And even when God’s voice interrupts us to announce that our dreams are being realized, it can feel like too much. Did we really think God saw us? Heard us? Knows us?

But just like Moses heard, so did I. “I’ll be with you,” God said.

So with a bit of trembling in my voice, I said yes. But that wasn’t the end of it. Because just like in Moses’s narrative, his purpose was to show others the “I-AM-WHO-I-AM.” (Exodus 11:14). That audience includes both the direct participants of my calling but those with whom I share my vulnerable story. Of hopes. Divine interruptions. Trembling bodies. Trust in God.

I shared my story with my young adult kids and nieces. All of it. Nervous banter included. Because they are watching and discerning how we all fit into God’s big story. They are encountering their own Moses moments. Our lives flesh out the Biblical narratives for them and anchor them to the “I-AM-WHO-I-AM” who has been interrupting and empowering his people since the beginning of creation. We can all use the reminder that God calls us and uses us despite our insecurities, It is a beautiful truth.

#Redbudwriter #stephaniejthompson #Moses #parentingyoungadults #Godhearsyou
Load More... Follow on Instagram

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  • Advent/Christmas
  • Easter
  • five minute friday
  • Help! This was not in the book!
  • Sacred Connections

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