As we think about this summer, I think it would be helpful for us to reflect on what it means to be a good neighbor.  It is my conviction that we as followers of Jesus should be the best neighbors in town.  Why?  Because at the heart of our faith we have a God who loved us when we were absolutely unlovable.  He pursued us when we wanted nothing to do with him.  He showed simple kindness to us, and we in turned killed him.  But it was through that death that he paid the penalty for our sin and made us right with God.  Now, if we have been loved like that, then it should at the very least cause us to love our neighbors.  This summer, it is worth asking the question: How can I be a good neighbor?

Here a few simple suggestions and ideas for you on how to be a good neighbor:  You will notice, it isn’t rocket science.

1. Get to know your neighbors.  Don’t be in such a hurry every time you walk outside the door of your house.  You don’t have to be overly chatty, but at least say “hi” to the people you see on your street.  Find out what their name is and here is the difficult part: REMEMBER IT.  I know this sounds like brain surgery, but the beginning point of a relationship is that you at least know who someone is.  Then maybe you can branch out and begin learning something about them, like where they work, what they do, where they grew up.  Too personal?  It’s hard to genuinely love someone if you don’t know anything about him or her.  How do you get to know them?  I have some ideas below under “be hospitable.”
2. Be Respectful and Courteous.  Don’t be the person who plays loud music late into the night.  Don’t be the neighbor who lets your dog run wild and poop on everyone else’s lawn.  If you’re doing a work project with power tools, don’t start at 6am and don’t work past 10pm.  Mow your yard more than just once a month.  If you wouldn’t appreciate your neighbors doing something, then by all means, don’t do it either.
3. Practice sharing your things. If you think about it, they are just things.  And if you think about it as a Christian, they aren’t even your things, they belong to God.  It’s okay to let someone use your snow blower.  Especially if they don’t have one and it just snowed 8 feet last night.  If you simply couldn’t bear to let another person use it, then do it for them and examine your heart.  Really, lending a tool, a ladder, offering to help someone unload a big item from the store, isn’t that what being a good neighbor is all about?  Or how many times have you been one egg short for a recipe, or ½ cup of sugar?  Why run to the store if you have a good relationship with your neighbors?  It’s amazing how something as simply as this adds such a richness to life.  This approach can be especially helpful in breaking the ice with the person who doesn’t ever seem to need any help?  I have some neighbors like that.  Here is my secret: I got to know them by asking them for help. Sometimes it’s helpful in breaking the ice to let them be in the position of power (the position of helping you).
4. Be Hospitable.  Be the person who facilitates everyone else getting to know each other.  Lots of people have ideas of doing community block parties and BBQs but rarely take the initiative to organize them.  If you ever wished your neighborhood did things like that, then you take the initiative.  There are a ton of great ideas to try below.  The key is to simply take initiative.  Here are a few ideas my wife and I have either had or done.

• Neighborhood BBQs.  This one is a staple on our street.  All it takes is coordination.   Just print up a small and simple flyer that says, “Community BBQ at our house (Address).  Please bring something to grill and a side to share.  We will provide something to drink, cups, plates, napkins and utensils.”  Then make sure it gets delivered to everyone on your block.  Pretty simple.
• In the winter you can try a Christmas goodie exchange.  Invite people over for a time to share Christmas cookies and goodies.  All you need is some coffee, cider, or cocoa along with whatever everyone anyone else brings (which is always enough) and you have a party.  You don’t have to spend a ton of money, just open up your home.
• Throw a “welcome to the neighborhood party” for new people or a “farewell party” for someone who is moving away.  This is both a great chance to get to know new people by making them feel welcomed.  It’s also a great way to say thank you to good neighbors as they leave.

If you have children on the block, the ideas are endless.  Here are a few that we have tried.

Kid’s Movie Night. We borrowed our churches projector one time, and projected a kid’s movie on the side of our garage.  We found a large canvas tarp that worked for a screen, rigged up our home theater system outside, popped popcorn, and made some cool aid.  The kids will never forget it and the parents had fun too.

Last summer we bought an inflatable waterslide that we can throw up in our backyard.  Talk about a kid magnet.  When it’s up, most of the kids on the block know that they are welcome to come over for the fun.  There parents often join them and we have great conversations.

If you have older kids, organize a kite flying day, a soccer game, water games (slip and slide, water balloons, kiddy pools, squirt guns), or you can organize an art show on your driveway with sidewalk chalk.  Really, just make it fun, keep it safe, and invite people into your lives.  We have found that until trust is earned between parents, especially with our kids, do things outside where everyone can see everything.  We all want to keep our kid’s safe.

Finally, Be Yourself- Don’t try to be someone you’re not.  Don’t try to impress everyone by trying to be the “perfect family.”  Just be yourselves and let relationships develop there.  Everyone has stuff.  The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus died for that “stuff” and it is in the process of redeeming it in the lives of his people.

The key to all of this is not to spend a ton of money on everything.  Keep it simple and keep it relational.  We have found that when you know all the people around you, there is just a greater depth to life.  There is a joy in just “being with people” and being a good neighbor.