The Neighborhood Picnic (08/23/2026)

All the neighbors were invited to the picnic in the circle of the neighborhood. It was scheduled to begin at 4, and when my husband and I arrived with our chairs, our dessert to share, and our plates and silverware, we found the chairs were already forming in a circle and the neighbors were already gathering. The weather was perfect: sunny with a great breeze. And the tree in the corner provided just the perfect amount of shade for the semi-circle of neighbors that formed to catch up and share the day and the wonderful fare.

One neighbor volunteered to smoke all the meat for our gathering. Another volunteered to roast the fresh corn on the cob while we visited before the meal. Others brought appetizers, salads, side dishes and desserts. While the corn cooked, we caught up and learned more about our newest members. A couple played corn hole at the edge of the circle. We ranged in age from 8 to 89. And as I looked about the circle, everyone was wearing a smile. And I think everyone was happy for the opportunity to gather with the others, share what we could: food, thoughts, humor, encouragement. I believe it was a good day, a worthwhile day, a community building day.

As I pondered it last evening before bed, I gave thanks for the community of friends and families that surround me and that care about me. I gave thanks for the gifts which they willingly shared yesterday and for my ability to share with them from what I had. And I realized that our lives are a lot like the neighborhood picnic: everyone is invited to come and to share from what they have been given with others in the moment; everyone is invited to care for those around them and to accompany them along the way; not everyone will accept the invitation.  It’s always been about His invitation to us and our choices.

As we make our way along His Way, seeking to follow in His footsteps, let us pray that we remain open to His calls, to His invitations in life. Let us pray that we can and will use the gifts He has given us well and share their fruit with our brothers and sisters along the Way. Let us love Him wholly recognizing that without Him, we would not be. And let us love those in our midst recognizing not only His love for them but their journeys and their gifts. And let us notice the ones who are missing and hold them in our hearts and prayers, too.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.