Random Acts of Being a Good Neighbor

With all the crazy stuff going on out there in the world, I thought you might like to hear about a thoughtful "random act of being a good neighbor".

Nothing huge...just sweet.

I was coming back into our back yard after a quick morning walk. It was starting to sprinkle rain, so I was in a bit of a hurry.  But as I entered our gate, I thought I saw a dragonfly land on something on top of one of our fence-posts that divides our property from our neighbor.

I couldn't quite figure out why the dragonfly was landing on something higher than the top of the post.  That didn't make sense.

So as I walked a little closer, the dragonfly flew away, but then I saw what it was he had been standing upon:

This little bear, just standing there with his paws behind his back, looking like he had a little secret.

So I turned him around and saw that he had a little fish in his paw, and thought..."well, isn't that something! I wonder where he came from?  I've never seen him here before..."

He just stood there, looking so innocent and nonchalant, as if to say, 

"Ha Ha...I've got a secret, and I won't tell, I won't tell, I won't tell..."

I was flabbergasted! Where did he come from? How long had he been there?

Did one of our neighborhood bears leave him there as a little reminder that they are always nearby, even when we don't know it?

So, of course, I took his picture...and then I left him there on the post until I could solve the mystery.

Later that day our neighbor came outside as I was going out to get the mail.

He said hello to me...and I asked him, "Did you leave this cute little bear sitting here on our fence post?"  He said, "Yes, I wondered how long it would take for you to find him. He's been there for about a week!"  Me, dumbfounded, said, "I guess I just haven't been very observant lately with so much on my mind."

He said, "well, I found him in a box of stuff I got at the flea market, and knew that you loved bears so thought you'd like to have him."

Of course I'd like to have him. What a sweet, thoughtful gesture.

As I said, nothing big...just a little kindness from a nice neighbor.

He's kind of a big bear of a guy himself...kind of a loner, but very kind and thoughtful. This isn't the first "random act of being a good neighbor" he had done for us.

People like this make it more difficult to move. 

I pray God will send just the right kind of neighbor here for our neighbor to appreciate and vice versa.

And may we always be that kind of neighbor to others as well.

Just little random acts of kindness...whether they be neighbors next door or across the street or across the highway, or in the next county...at the grocery store, the gas station, 

wherever we meet people,

May we always strive to be a "good neighbor" who spreads kindness and good will.

Here is a good story about being a good neighbor:

Luke 10:25-37 New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

So now, this little bear has joined some new friends here in our house. He seems right at home here.

Hey! " Won't you be, won't you be, please won't you be, my neighbor?" (Mr. Rogers)