let your light so shine

The house was exactly what we wanted. The neighborhood looked fantastic - neighbors were out playing with their children, and homes were kept in a way that said, "I like living here." Our realtor showed us through the home, and we knew it was the right place. As we started to drive away, we noticed the next-door neighbor's house didn't fit. It was in dire disrepair, appearing nearly abandoned, with an old car parked (or rather, set) in the driveway. I commented that it was either a drug-infested rental, or an elderly person unable to keep up on their home. We hoped it was the latter.

Oddly, it did not deter us. Other places like that had kept us away. The unknown, the possible risk, the ugliness unmasked... we were like many home buyers who wanted appearances to matter. In this case, by God's grace, it did not matter, because that was meant to be our neighbor.

Beautiful Mary lives next door in that house. She's lived there since since 1961. Her husband's parents lived there before them, and when her beloved passed away her son gave her a dog for companionship. Years later, a younger dog, Gracie, and a couple cats keep Mary company, as do the neighbors. Neighbors mow the yard and take care of the plants as best we can. Friends pick up her groceries - canned dog food (chunks, not ground), cases of pepsi, fresh pies. Treats and dinners are carted over to fill in her meal options. Neighbors sit with her on the porch and watch the sidewalk activities throughout summer, and little boys ride up to her front door to ring bicycle bells and shout "Hi Mary!" She likes to be independent, but she receives help graciously. She is a beautiful piece of our neighborhood.

I had planned to get a wreath for Mary when I got ours this week. We got back from church on Sunday to see that somebody else beat us to it. Many neighbors spent the afternoon hanging lights and putting up decorations, and the first one done hurried over to Mary's to hang a colored strand across the front of her porch. The extension cord reaches across property, to make sure she can enjoy the festive look without adding to her electricity bill. When I looked out at this neighbor, generously giving his time to let Mary enjoy some of the beauty of lights, I nearly cried at the joy of living in such a place. When Mary came out and saw it, she did cry. Overwhelmed, she just kept saying that that we (all of us) were too kind, too good, too much.

If I didn't know them better, I'd give those neighbors a giant award for their kindness and generosity. They made Mary's day... week... Christmas season. I do know them, though, and I know that serving others is just what they do. I also know that others in the neighborhood were jumping to help, to be part of blessing Mary. It was a moment - one of many we've had here - of setting out lights in each others' lives.

Some people don't think much of our neighborhood. Some write about our urban area with disdain, carrying prejudices and focusing on problems. Many choose to live somewhere "nicer" or "safer" or "better" or "more beautiful," though appearances rarely match reality. I don't know that we've ever lived someplace better, and there is a rare beauty in our neighborhood. This is a place where love thrives.

As we anticipate and prepare for Christmas, we want to keep our focus. I think our neighbors helped with that this weekend.

"let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."