““You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again.”
Deuteronomy 22:4 NKJV
G-d fashioned our hearts for relationships – relationships with our spouse, our family (immediate and extended), and the community He places us in. Ecclesiastes says two are better than one and Genesis states that man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. We are not designed to live in silos.
Community is what our hearts long for – a place where we can live in close relationships with others as we help and support one another along they way. When we do so, when we work with another person to carry their burden, it’s just easier – and, sometimes it’s fun.
Many “good” neighbors come to mind today from Tyler to Grand Prairie to Kentucky to Fort Worth – but one neighbor stands out in my mind today.
Chris and Amber were our neighbors in Lexington when we first moved to Kentucky. While I don’t want to offend other good neighbors we’ve had, the Risalvato’s were the best!!! We borrowed sugar from one another, shared spontaneous meals, and even dressed up like cows for free chicken at chick fil a. Amber gave Alathia shots in the early days of diagnosis and kept our kids when I was sick. Chris helped me buy my Honda that I still love and drive today. And one fall, we spent HOURS untangling the Christmas tree lights. We shared laughter and tears. We did life together. The season was short – but the impact on our hearts was not.
That’s what and who I think of when I read today’s passage. When someone is in need, G-d asks me to step in to lend a hand and to walk along side of them until they’re back on their feet, continuing their journey, not ignore them and blindly walk past. My personal mission in life is to leave people better than I found them – to do something to leave others inspired and more “lifted up” in their hearts – and, to fulfill my mission requires that I sometimes leave my comfort zone, setting aside my plans if need be, to help lift them up again.
G-d sets the lowly in families and when we needed one 14 hours from “home”, He gave us the Risalvato’s whom we love like family.
Father – thank You for Chris and Amber. What a gift they were to us! Cause Your face to shine on them, Amelia, and Owen. Father help me to see what You see in those around me and give me wisdom to know how to help those in need. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 21-23