I thoroughly appreciated Jenna Willett’s comments on the importance of neighborliness in “Just Being Neighborly.” Her article addressed a topic to which I have given considerable thought in the past weeks.
Growing up in a semi-urban neighborhood in Cincinnati, my family has seen many neighbors cycle through the houses up and down our street. Thanks to my mom’s naturally outgoing and cheerful personality, we have gotten to know many of them. These experiences taught me that neighbors create a unique opportunity for hospitality and Christian living.
Neighbors are a group of people who we do not choose, but who we are nevertheless called to love. In the Gospel Christ preaches to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). G.K. Chesterton, in his book Brave New Family speaks to the uncertainty of neighbors, arguing that because we do not choose them, they illustrate the beauty, drama, and romance of life. Chesterton asks:

“If we were tomorrow-morning snowed up in the street in which we live, we should step suddenly into a much larger and much wilder world than we have ever known. And it is the whole effort of the typically modern person to escape from the street in which he lives.”

It is easy to flee this drama of life by sticking close to those friends who we choose for interests or beliefs which are similar to our own. However, love for a neighbor is different.

“We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next-door neighbor.…We have to love our neighbor because he is there– a much more alarming reason for a much more serious operation. He is the sample of humanity which is actually given us. Precisely because he may be anybody he is everybody. He is a symbol because he is an accident” (Brave New Family).

Thoughtful interactions with neighbors go a great way to creating personal ties to the place where one lives and building an atmosphere which challenges character and embraces adventure. The goods gained here are well worth the expense of time or energy which they cause. Sometimes a simple evening walk, a consistent physical presence in your neighborhood may open doors to small interactions which foster a neighborly atmosphere.