THANKFUL THURSDAY ... Like a good neighbor

State Farm Insurance isn't the only one who knows about being neighborly. Years ago, when my husband and I first were married, our neighborhood always had a annual block cookout. It was the highlight of our summer, but not only that, as neighbors, we always looked out for one another all year long.

Isn't that the way it use to be?

Having block parties, neighbors checking on neighbors, helping your neighbor out with things, baking a cake when your neighbor was sick, etc.

I just don't think it is still like this in our neighborhoods, but I know it should be. I recently paused to consider what kind of neighbor I am.

My family recently moved out of our home where we lived for 20 years to live in the parsonage where my husband is pastoring. Our old neighborhood over the years has changed so much. New families moving in, and everyone is busy, busy, busy and they keep to themselves. I ran into my long time neighbor today and told her that we had moved a month ago. She had no idea.

If we were neighbors like State Farm suggests, than I would expect that somehow my neighbor would have known that we had moved out. Not to slight her, or put blame on her for not noticing, but shame on me for not telling. After all, isn't that what neighbors do?

With the fast pace life that we live, social media taking over our communication process, slowly but surely we are getting away from being neighborly. I don't like that. And I know God doesn't either.

" And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is likewise, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30,31

Being neighborly isn't just about knowing your neighbors name. To be a neighbor like the Bible suggests, we must love and love unconditionally.

I will be hosting THANKFUL THURSDAY this month and today I am giving thanks for my neighbors, the ones from my old neighborhood and the ones from my new neighborhood. May I strive to be a State Farm neighbor and like a good neighbor .... be there for them!

Join your grateful heart with ours this week by linking up below. God bless you in all that you do.