I love it when people feed me stories that feed my obsession for “intensely local” ministry. This week, I heard a story that was a perfect fit for what can happen when we ask God to give us opportunity to make a difference in our neighbors lives. Here’s the story.
John and Jessie are new new neighbors to Mike and Maureen. Mike and Maureen are a Christian couple serious about living for the spread of Jesus’s fame. Over the past 6 months, they have had countless backyard conversations, dinner invitations given and responded to, front yard conversation and laughter, help on BBQ, counsel sought for household projects, laughing over the antics of the two new children under 8 in the neighborhood, multiple commiserations about local sports teams, all contributed a winsome camaraderie but only surface spiritual discussions.
The new neighbor knew that Mike and Maureen next door were Christians; they knew Mike had a Roman Catholic background which was similar to John and Jessie’s. But where John and Jessie had become non-church goers in their adult years, the neighbor next door had become more involved in the church and seemed to be intoxicated with Jesus.
Mike and Maureen liked their new neighbor. It was good to have a younger couple with children next door. The inquisitive 5 year old girl and her more timid 8 year old brother were filled with questions and seemed to like the “adopted grandparents” next door. One day, Mike saw John grilling out back while Jessie was corralling the two children playing in the yard. The kids were near the fence line and Mike asked Jessie, “John likes to grill doesn’t he?” Jessie’s response was appreciative, “It’s a good thing. He does most of the cooking actually” and then followed up with “I don’t cook,” a little sheepishly.
When Maureen overheard the conversation she had an idea. One of Mike’s favorite dishes was a simple rice and chicken baked in mushroom soup coupled with some vegetable. Three days filled with prayer later, she invited Jessie over for coffee while she prepared dinner. The coffee started the conversation, and then Maureen casually started to prepare the chicken and mushrooms for the oven. That’s all it took.
Jessie: “I wish I could cook. I just never learned.”
Maureen: “Oh, I don’t think of myself as much of a cook either. I’m glad Mike likes this because it is about as simple as it gets. Here, I’ll show you.”
Jessie left her coffee and moved in for a closer look. Five minutes later she knew what to do and had a 3×5 recipe with timing instructions for the rice and the baked chicken. She decided to surprise her husband some day the next week.
It was another bridge and bond in a budding friendship of trust and respect.
As I heard the story, I was mildly disappointed that the impromptu cooking lesson did not turn into a gospel conversation. That’s just me. But I am confident of this: couples who pray like Mike and Maureen and take the initiative in simple ways to befriend their neighbors and continue to pray will have those opportunities. Along the way, they will give the gospel of Jesus Christ a sweet smelling aroma that will adorn the name of Christ and bring glory to His name.
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