1 Thessalonians 5:11 says ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing’. (NIV) This suggests you already know a neighbour or have become a friend.
The inference is friendship is not static. Someone might move in across the street or we ourselves might move house. The cycle of developing friendships will then starts all over again. Most people wait for friendship to come their way rather than making an effort to go and find people to befriend.
All too many people feel isolated and lonely, some because of failing health, others because they find it hard to make new friends. If friendship is offered to someone through an act of kindness, what better way to create a future that is a joy to live and a connection with neighbours that is precious to behold. Just pray and God will lead you.
Quote
Don’t wait for friendship to find you, go find it.
Prayer
Lord, help me to reach out to the new neighbours on my street, to befriend them in your name, Amen.
Action Point
Start with sending cards, pop it in the letterbox of a house you don’t know. Being proactive will for sure, bring connection and conversation.
Copyright notices
(NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Use in other publications. You can use upto 100 words of this publication with a reference to www.faithlift.org by Carl Brettle.
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