All Around the Neighborhood...
I have to--get to!--tell children's story tomorrow. So I thought I would practice here first. The theme of the sermon is "This Little Light of Mine." So that takes out my favorite children's stories--the squirrel on the sticky mouse trap and surviving the raging river with my mom. Next time. But for this time...
How do you let your light shine? What does that mean?
When I first moved to Maryland, I was a little bit scared of my neighbors. Not because they were really mean, although one of my next door neighbors did seem to be a little cranky. But it was mostly just because no one ever seemed to talk to each other. When I walked around, I would get really excited just to get a smile out of somebody. But life got busy, and I kind of got used to it and just forgot about my neighbors.
A year went by, and I started thinking about what Jesus says--that we need to let our lights shine. But I didn't know how to do that. How was I supposed to be a light in my neighborhood when my neighbors wouldn't even talk to me? So I started praying, and I asked God to help me be a light, and help me meet my neighbors.
Not too long after that, I got a great idea around Christmas time. My landlords have three little girls (who aren't as little any more), so I asked their parents if I could borrow them for an evening. We made Christmas cards and put them with some bags of cookies that I had made earlier. Then we went around to some of our neighbors and passed them out and wished them a merry Christmas. It was fun, and it wasn't that hard. But it made a difference! They were so happy! One of my neighbors even left a thank-you card on my car windshield.
Another way God has answered is when He has sent some big snow storms. Do you like snow? I bet you like getting out of school. Well, I don't always like snow, but in Maryland, I have learned to like it a lot more because it brings neighbors out and they always seem nicer! Everyone is out shoveling in their driveways and they are usually not afraid to talk, especially if you help them out a bit.
And do you know what I found out when I met them while I was shoveling snow? Some of my neighbors were really sad. They were lonely, and had a lot of problems, and just needed a friend to listen. A few of them have become pretty good friends that I have walked with, celebrated birthdays with, and we've helped each other out. I have prayed with them and for them, and have seen God answer those prayers in amazing ways. You know what? Even my cranky neighbor has started actually being nicer!
The story isn't actually even done yet--because God is still telling it one day at a time. I have learned that it is not that hard to let my light shine in my neighborhood. If I ask God to help me be a light, He puts the people in my life who need it, and He gives me all the ideas and words that I need. Sometimes it's even just a smile.
How many of you want to be a light for Jesus? Do you think you can do it if He helps you? I think so.
How do you let your light shine? What does that mean?
When I first moved to Maryland, I was a little bit scared of my neighbors. Not because they were really mean, although one of my next door neighbors did seem to be a little cranky. But it was mostly just because no one ever seemed to talk to each other. When I walked around, I would get really excited just to get a smile out of somebody. But life got busy, and I kind of got used to it and just forgot about my neighbors.
A year went by, and I started thinking about what Jesus says--that we need to let our lights shine. But I didn't know how to do that. How was I supposed to be a light in my neighborhood when my neighbors wouldn't even talk to me? So I started praying, and I asked God to help me be a light, and help me meet my neighbors.
Not too long after that, I got a great idea around Christmas time. My landlords have three little girls (who aren't as little any more), so I asked their parents if I could borrow them for an evening. We made Christmas cards and put them with some bags of cookies that I had made earlier. Then we went around to some of our neighbors and passed them out and wished them a merry Christmas. It was fun, and it wasn't that hard. But it made a difference! They were so happy! One of my neighbors even left a thank-you card on my car windshield.
Another way God has answered is when He has sent some big snow storms. Do you like snow? I bet you like getting out of school. Well, I don't always like snow, but in Maryland, I have learned to like it a lot more because it brings neighbors out and they always seem nicer! Everyone is out shoveling in their driveways and they are usually not afraid to talk, especially if you help them out a bit.
And do you know what I found out when I met them while I was shoveling snow? Some of my neighbors were really sad. They were lonely, and had a lot of problems, and just needed a friend to listen. A few of them have become pretty good friends that I have walked with, celebrated birthdays with, and we've helped each other out. I have prayed with them and for them, and have seen God answer those prayers in amazing ways. You know what? Even my cranky neighbor has started actually being nicer!
The story isn't actually even done yet--because God is still telling it one day at a time. I have learned that it is not that hard to let my light shine in my neighborhood. If I ask God to help me be a light, He puts the people in my life who need it, and He gives me all the ideas and words that I need. Sometimes it's even just a smile.
How many of you want to be a light for Jesus? Do you think you can do it if He helps you? I think so.
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