Good Neighbors
Sending ❤️ to Minnesota
To my new subscribers: welcome to the “neighborhood”—my little corner of the internet!
Although some of you are new here, longtime followers know I grew up in Indiana and now live in Michigan, but my home away from home is Minnesota. As a kid, I vacationed there every summer with my family, and that tradition continued with my husband and our kids. Then, three years ago, a lifelong dream became reality when we bought our cabin on one of the 10,000 lakes. I now spend 4-5 months of the year Up North.
Several of our new Minnesota neighbors became fast friends as they immediately reached out to welcome and enfold us. We were invited to dinner. Taken on pontoon cruises. And were offered a helping hand many times over as we settled into our new place. These neighbors were the definition of the phrase I often see on mugs, stickers, and sweatshirts: Minnesota Nice.
The peace and calm I’ve enjoyed at the lake is in stark contrast with what we’re now seeing daily on the news. Families ripped apart. Citizens shot in the streets. Tear gas, masked men, and violence. The current situation in Minneapolis is heartbreaking. 💔
And yet.
In contrast to the horrors, I have also seen, read, and heard many stories not only of neighbors helping neighbors, but of strangers reaching out with support from around the country. Neighborly acts of love are sustaining those living in fear. These churches, organizations, and good neighbors provide a framework to us all for sharing the love of Christ.
Since many others have more knowledge and first-hand experience with what’s happening in the Twin Cities, I will simply point you to their voices.1
I also can’t help sharing the most moving and uplifting video clip I watched this week. It was a tribute by Lady Gaga to Mr. Rogers—perhaps one of the best role models we’ve had for being a good neighbor. You can catch it on an upcoming SuperBowl commercial, or watch it here.
Lady Gaga wanted her performance to be like Mr. Rogers—“heartfelt, and kind, and warm” —a standard we should all try to emulate.
Still, it’s not always easy being a good neighbor. Whether in the next house, the next town, or the next state, we don’t know these strangers. We can’t always understand their language and their culture includes foods, traditions, and beliefs that are foreign to us.
But no one said being neighborly would be a walk in the park (although it could include one!). Yet, our world needs good neighbors now more than ever.
We can each ask, What can I do to help? How do I get to know my neighbor? And, Who is my neighbor? (See Luke 10: 25-37 for Jesus’ response.)
We must pray for and seek answers.
Then, we can follow-up with action while covering everything we do in the love of Christ, our ultimate role model.
Through heartfelt kindness and warmth, together we can restore and create a beautiful neighborhood.
One more little thing…
In the spirit of getting to know my online “neighbors,” can I ask you a few questions? It’s been two years since I surveyed my readers, and surveys help writers like me know what a reader like you is looking for. Your responses on this super short (3-5 minute) survey will help me plan my content and offerings over the coming year.
As a thank-you for completing the survey I’ll randomly select one respondent to receive a free copy of either Empty-Nest Joyride or Lent Through the Little Things.
Complete the survey at any time, but do so by February 9 to enter the drawing.
Note: Survey responses are visible to me only and help me better understand my readers. I’ll never share individual responses.
Thanks so much!
And may peace be with you.
A great source I’ve come across for what’s happening in Minneapolis neighborhoods from a very human perspective is Elizabeth Berget’s Back of the Flock Substack. Her most recent post, I Live in Minneapolis, gives several links to stories, podcasts, and interviews describing the situation, as well as various links to organizations we can support from afar.