Good Neighbors (04/09/2024)

Yesterday, about 11:30 a.m. my husband asked me if I knew there was a squirrel on my porch. I thought he meant on the screen outside which they have done before. But he meant a real squirrel really on my porch, inside the screen. Ken went out, unlocked the door, opened it wide and shooed the unwelcome critter out. That’s when he discovered that the squirrel had literally chewed himself a doorway through the screen. Who knew a squirrel would do that?

Clearly, this fellow had not been informed about the expectations for “good neighbors.” He must have missed that class. He had seen or smelled or sensed the presence of a bird seed shamrock the kids had given me which I had put on the porch intending to put it all the way outside when the birds were all back. Clearly, I had something he wanted; clearly, he felt he had a right to it regardless of the cost to me.

As I sat on the porch, looking at that horrible breach in my porch screen, my mind went to the larger world. Immediately, I thought of Ukraine and what it is experiencing because a Russian president wanted what Ukraine had: the land, the resources, the sea access, the people. How often have we, as humans, gone where we had no right to take what wasn’t ours because of simple desire? Will we ever learn the lesson of “good neighbors”? Will we ever promise always to want what is best for the other over what we desire?

That question remained with me. I made a patch for the screen to keep the uninvited and wily neighbors at bay. While I was still a bit upset by the pest, I had to admit to myself that he was as susceptible to temptation as we humans are. But unlike we humans, he doesn’t have the benefit of a conscience formed through faith and love.

I made a promise to the LORD that I would remember the squirrel who taught me a lesson about temptations and good neighbors. I am free to choose, but with that freedom comes a responsibility to choose well. How do my choices impact others? How do I keep the well-being of others as a true incentive for myself in my choices, in my words and actions?

We have been blessed with our Savior who showed us the way to live, who revealed to us the truth of what is essential, and who opened for us the doors to eternal life, life in abundance at home with our LORD. Our journey through life on our way home to our creator and LORD is meant to be one ruled by the law of love: love of the LORD with all our being; love of ourselves as children of the LORD; love of one another as daughters and sons of the LORD. At the heart of our choices is the question of how what we want demonstrates our love of the LORD. Is it in keeping with what the LORD wills?

In this modern era, the world hasn’t shrunk, but we have the ability to know our global neighbors better, to see them as who they are – sisters and brothers – daughters and sons of the LORD. In this modern era we have more capability than any other generation before us to be “good neighbors” to one another across the world. How do we claim that capability and use it to build relationships with one another, life affirming and loving relationships with one another regardless of flags, languages, ethnicities, religion, or gender?

Late last night I saw that squirrel again, eying my porch. “Stay away” I told him. He seemed to understand my message and scrambled away. As he left, I shouted to him, “Thanks for giving me something to think about.” Then I realized how the LORD did it again – using a small, fury creature to teach me anew about the life I am called to live.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.