Snow Neighbors

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:1-4 NASB)

Just in case anyone hasn’t noticed, we’ve had a little bit of wintry weather this week and last. I know, it’s a bit of a surprise to some of you reading this (hehe!). Last night, we got at least 6 inches of new snow before it turned over to rain, the power went out, and then it snowed again.

We have neighbors next to us who are significantly older than we are, so we’ve been checking in on them regularly throughout this string of storms. Cars have gone up our street, and while most of the bigger cars have made it, the smaller ones haven’t, and we’ve tried to help redirect them so that they can safely get into the neighborhood. One neighbor wasn’t aware last Saturday that so much more snow was on the way, and I was able to check with her son yesterday to make sure they’re alright.

Events like this usually mean that people are compelled to come out of their shells a little and get to know their neighbors. We offer to help when and where we can. We spend more time getting to know the people who surround us, instead of living our lives in private tunnel vision. God created us as naturally relational beings. We are called to help one another, not for any selfish reasons of pride, but because it feels good to aid those in need.

I wrote this at a combination of 13 Coins in downtown Bellevue, and home. The power came back on after we got home from breakfast! A former neighbor did offer to host us for a while so that I could finish writing this, and Dan could do a little work that had to be done. We have offered to help our neighbors closest to us; we can always help somehow. Dan has helped me get snow off the top of my gigantic SUV this week. He’s also been shoveling with a regular dirt shovel, to guide our cars out of the driveway. I’ve helped Dan remember to eat before he drives in the snow for potentially 2+ hours to get home to us. We help each other.

It may seem like a small thing, but building our micro-community with shovels, company, and food is our little way of impacting the world for Jesus. What we do for others, we are doing as representatives of Christ. I care about all of the families that I encounter on a daily basis at my work in a school. I want to reach out to some of them and know how they are managing. Not all of them have power, or drivable roads, I’m certain. I hope they are all right, as I hope that my extended Creekside family is also faring well through this snow. I also hope that we are ALL encouraging our micro-communities to encounter God’s love somehow. If you have to, use words, but at least do it through service. Even the smallest gesture can mean the world to another person, whether you realize it or not.

Stay warm, stay safe, and please don’t forget to remove the snow off the top of your cars.