In my small town, everyone has to pick up their mail at the post office. It isn’t delivered to our houses. It’s a bit inconvenient, but it’s also an acquired habit to go to the post office and possibly run into your neighbors. I once ran into the neighbor across the street whom I’ve never met. She didn’t acknowledge me, so I didn’t say anything, either. She might not have even recognized me. I barely recognized her, because I had only seen her from a distance. However, I did recognize her car.
But earlier this week, I walked into the post office and almost ran into two older gentlemen who were standing inside the door carrying on a lengthy conversation. They actually knew each other and were happily conversing. Of course. They were standing in the way of anyone trying to enter or exit the building, but they didn’t seem to mind. They did step out of the way when I opened the door, but they kept right on chatting.
Further inside the building, another older gentleman was in deep conversation with the post mistress. And that woman. She knows everyone. She’s been sorting the mail for our small town for many years. She’s now close to retirement age, but she tells me that she has no plans to retire. She likes her job and loves keeping up with the towns folk. She can even recite my mailbox number when she sees me. I’m sure she can do that for most people who come through the door. I tell myself that because I hate to think that she’s got my number memorized because I get so many packages. But regardless of the reason, she can look at me and quote my po box number by heart.
I wonder just how many conversations between old timers goes on in that post office every day. I mean. If you want to get your mail, you have to stop by and go inside. It’s fairly often that I run into someone on my way in or out. Not always, but a lot of times. I just don’t know the people because I haven’t lived here that long. Most of these people seem to be lifetime residents, so they know others in our small out of the way town.
Since I moved here a year ago, I’ve had opportunity to meet many new people. When we decided to uproot our lives, we knew that we would walk away from friendships of many years. We knew that we would need to set down roots in a community of fellow believers and become part of that fellowship. And that’s what we’ve been doing since the moment we moved in. Has the effort been successful? At times, it seems so. Other times, we see that there is still room for improvement. We realize at this age, people have already built deep long lasting relationships and aren’t necessarily looking for more. They’ve found their people. And it’s been obvious. But there are some who have reached out the hand of friendship, and for that we’re thankful.
Since we live in a rural area of small towns, most people know and are known by many others in the community. It’s obvious, and I think that’s great. But I’ve also found that while many are friendly, they don’t reach out to become friends. It’s an interesting phase of life to be in and it’s sometimes a bit unsettling. But it’s the life we’re living, and we don’t look back. Oh. I’m not complaining. I’m just stating facts. It’s a good lesson to me, the biggest introvert on earth, that I need to be more friendly and do my part about reaching out to newbies. They too may be looking for a new friend.
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 1 Thessalonians 3:12
It seems that we all need to get out of our comfort zones and reach out to others. You may not think you need a new friend, but someone else may be looking for one. It could be you who’ll fit the bill of friend in their lives, and it never hurts to stretch ourselves and meet someone new. We get so stuck in our comfortable lives that we don’t think about others needing others. We are relieved that our friendship list is full, so we stop looking for new friends. We stop welcoming others into our circle. And heaven forbid that we get to know the new people. Comfort is safety for us. And we are good about avoiding uncomfortable situations.
So. Here’s the challenge. Move out of your comfort zone and get to know others. Say hi. Extend a friendly welcome to someone you don’t know. Actually chat with them. Find some common ground. Extend a hand of friendship and follow up the next time you see them. You could make someone’s day just with a short conversation. And then do the next hard thing. Invite them to join you for coffee. Or lunch. They may just be the new friend you didn’t know you needed. Always be willing to make room for one more in your circle. You’ll be surprised how much fuller your life will be.
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:14-15
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 3:12-14
As believers, we really do need each other. We need to do life together. Oh sure. It’s great to have food and fellowship with each other. But what about accountability and discipleship? We need that, too. We need others to listen to our concerns and hear our prayer requests. We need to have others pray for us and we need to pray for them. We need to study the Bible together and hash out what God is saying to us today. We must ask the uncomfortable questions and sometimes receive uncomfortable answers. We must walk the road of life with people who will sharpen us and point us to a closer walk with Christ. We’re not meant to walk this path of life alone. So. Open the door to that new friendship. Your life and theirs will be enriched.
I’m so thankful for the one who invited me to their small group last year. It’s a great group of godly people who have been very welcoming to a couple of newbies. I’m thankful for all of them.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17
Mercy for the Day 