God’s providence put a book into my hands about the ministry of ordinary places, about being present and reaching out in my neighborhood.
God knows I’m an introvert. (Laurence disagrees as I expect you do too. 🙂) I think He likes it that way, so He can push me out of my box and use me the way He wants to. He’s given me many years of reaching out practice in NYC.
But what about my neighbor? I see the Irishman (or any number of others) from the building up ahead, and I slow my steps so that we won’t enter at the same time. I know he’ll want to visit, and I just don’t feel like it.
But aren’t we called to ministry in the place where the Lord has placed us? The last while there has been some interesting happenings with the Lord putting neighbors in my space:
I met the Malaysian neighbor in the elevator. She told me she’d been wondering how she could get a hold of me as she wanted to go with me to market on Saturday. She did and now we are friends.
My father’s passing has opened a door for sharing with neighbors. In a laundry room visit I heard about the grief for a Bronx mother-in-law who passed away last summer.
A few days ago, I was going out as Jose came in. “How’s it going?” he asked. I hesitated. Was he in a hurry? Should I tell him something personal?
Then I said, “My father passed away on July 5.” Jose looked stunned. He said, “My mother passed away two years ago on July 6. I still haven’t gotten over it.” We stood there for 20 minutes while neighbors went in and out, and while I held the front door open so as to not feel confined in the small vestibule.
“Were you close with your dad?” he asked? He wept as he told me of his mom’s passing. Before we parted, Jose encouraged me to find comfort in prayer, “I can see you are a person who prays.”
Today, I met the Chinese woman who lives above us. We greet when we meet, which isn’t often. We might discuss building matters, but we never visit. I have not found her friendly or sociable. But maybe I haven’t appeared approachable. Today, we talked about life here versus living in the country, about old age and death, about her parents and mine. (She’d like to have her parents come from China but her 95 year old grandmother still lives.)
Ministry sounds like opening our home to others. Perhaps it starts with opening our hearts.
Berniece
An Ordinary Life 
I believe you are right. Did Jesus minister any other way? He invited people to follow Him but never to a home. Am I right in that? Every time I’ve stepped out of my box, opened my mind to befriend someone it has been s blessing to me. So why do I shy away from it then? Like slowing my walk so we don’t meet at the door! I’ve been there too!
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This was good for me to read this morning. Thank you, Berniece.
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Your post reminded me of something I wrote a few weeks back. I thought I would share it:
”And other sheep I have that are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd” John 10:16
” But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that should show forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
While shopping at Walmart, a modesty dressed woman caught my attention. Along with her in an electric cart was a more elderly woman. Later I came face to face with them. I commented that I really liked her dress. We visited for a while. The other lady, that I learned was her mother, stood to show me her long skirt. They spoke about how they believe in modesty. The younger lady’s next thought is the one that bore witness to me. In my own words she said that we are to be a peculiar people that recognizes the same spirit when we see one another.
The other encounter happened as we were finding a seat in a doctor’s office. An elderly couple sort of stood out from the rest. We spoke to each other and sat near them. He had a full long beard that reminded me of my Grandpa Jantz. She wore her gray hair in long cornrows. Her attire was modest. Later while Jim was having labs drawn, I asked her if she was a Christian. With a smile, she answered, “ a saint!” Then she said, “Jesus is coming soon, but people don’t believe it.” She said, “When you walked in, my husband asked me, ‘What is she, a pilgrim?’ “It gave me joy to know that they saw Christ in this weak earthen vessel. May we not be ashamed to be a peculiar people that can shine the true light in the darkness that surrounds us. I praise God for letting me meet my neighbors that are striving to live for Him.
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Thank you for sharing this. It encourages me. Berniece
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