Some people say that good fences make good neighbors. And for the most part I believe that to be true. Privacy, boundaries, and defined space can give us sanctuary, and retreat, and tranquility a space to reflect and regroup. Good fences can also send messages of isolation. “I don’t want to get involved,” and “don’t bother me.”
When our neighbors built a huge house next to us, we mourned the loss of our view of spectacular sunset, of quails for food, and foraging for food, and fresh air blowing through opened windows on that side of our house.
Fences went up—tall trellises, trees, sound barriers, and non-verbal messages of dislike for our occupying presence. Then one day when we were away, our large ageing family dog rolled down the hill and got stuck in the fence be-hind our house. Noticing his plight, the neighbor rescued him, cleaning his fur coated with mud and tending to his wounds.
Our neighbors don’t go to the same church we do. They are not part of the same political party as we, but God put them next door anyway. Now, we watch out for each other and pray for each other’s children and grandchildren.
By Paul Thomas Yucaipa, California
Proverbs 14:21
New King James Version (NKJV)
“He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he”
ELDER’S CORNER
Eddie Cox