Meet Your Neighbors

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. – Romans 13:10 (NRSV) 

I’m all for trying to love my neighbors. But first, I’d like a little information about who they might be. So when I arrived in my new town a few days ago, I did the introvert’s version of a meet-and-greet: I leapt out of bed just after dawn and took a walk while all the neighbors were still asleep. Sure enough, in just a few blocks, I learned who puts out fresh water for passing dogs, whose front lawn has become a Little League practice field, and who is still displaying yard signs from the last election, in triumph or in sorrow. So far so good. 

Then I walked past a church and noticed a very tall sunflower peeking over the roof of the classroom wing. Curious, I walked around to the back of the building. There, laid out in a grid beneath the morning sky, was an enormous community garden. One plot was filled with dozens of tiny tomato plants. Another was surrounded by bean poles. Others had plastic chairs and tangles of blackberry vines and picnic tables tucked beneath the trees.  

It turns out that my neighbors include a congregation that invites folks to care for the land, and each other, in its backyard. Based on the evidence, I’m pretty sure I have neighbors who save seeds and plant too many tomatoes and compost overripe apples. Who knows? I may even have neighbors who share stories and songs as they help each other pull weeds, and who host potluck suppers all summer long.   

Next week, I’ll go walking later in the day – when the neighbors are awake and the gardeners are in their plots – and begin the work of love. 

Prayer
Holy One, teach us to sow gardens of zinnias and generosity, where all our paths are peace.

About the Author
Rev. Yael Lachman is a UCC minister and artist who leads contemplative retreats, art adventures, and worship for all ages, most often in wild places. You can find Yael here.