This week we received an email from one of our neighbors, informing us and others in the area of an upcoming zoning hearing, and providing a little information on the issues involved. We live in a "rural conservation district", an area zoned low density rural/residential, and some land owners want to "upzone" to a much higher density zoning classification. (A week ago I wouldn't have understood a word of that last sentence!!)

What's this have to do with being a good neighbor, you might ask? Well, the nice lady heading up the neighborhood opposition is asking for some help. So last night I showed up at a "strategy meeting" with five other neighbors, and am probably going to testify at next week's zoning hearing in front of the board (and a couple hundred other people....gulp).

I'm not familiar with local issues, never even been to the neighborhood association meetings.....but I see a tremendous opportunity to "be a good neighbor". Giving of my time (three evenings in all, plus time for research on my testimony), my money (joining the neighborhood association), and my comfort (testifying about something I'm nearly 100% uninformed about). These sacrifices constitute "loving my neighbor as myself", and I thank God for this opportunity.

I could have easily told my neighbor that I'm too busy (well, I am!!). I could have simply ignored her email, and she never would've said a word about it (she's not exactly right next door). I might have even told her I'd try to make it to the zoning hearing, stopping there (which, believe me, is what I most want to do!). But in this case, the Holy Spirit's voice was loud and clear, and rather than disobey, I'm gonna stress it out! (lol) But even in the stress of doing these things I'm not at all comfortable with, there is a tremendous peace I can't even begin to describe!

So I thought that I'd share, just in case the Lord is giving others an opportunity to be a good neighbor (I'll bet he is!), and to get a bit of Christ into the lives of the unchurched around us. Our eyes really need to be focused on God first, then others, rather than our own busy lives, or opportunities like this will slip past us often. I'm sure we've already missed a few opportunities ourselves. But this once, God spoke loud and clear!


[UPDATE 3-10-08] Went to my first community association meeting tonight. I JOINED!! I'm now a member of the Greater Patapsco Community Association, Inc. We are a bunch of bumpkins on the fringe of the advance of suburbia. We mostly discussed zoning issues tonight, and all in attendance were in unanimous agreement that the association should take a stand against "upzoning" (see explanation above).

I carpooled to the meeting with a couple of neighbors, then sat with them and two other neighbors who organized the "strategy meeting" I wrote about above. I'm excited that the Lord is giving me this opportunity to build bonds of friendship with my neighbors!! Next up: public hearing before the Baltimore County Zoning Board, this Thursday. I may testify, though I'm still on the fence about that.

Thanks to those who prayed for me, tonight went so well!! Please continue to pray that God would use this opportunity and my interactions with my neighbors for his glory!


[UPDATE 3-14-08] I TESTIFIED!!! Last night was amazing!! The Baltimore County Planning Board met with the good people of District #4 (ours!), and I attended with my neighbors. I wasn't supposed to testify, but God got involved and before I knew it I was on stage testifying in front of the board and at least 100 other citizens. I will never forget it! My neighbors had much good to say about my testimony, and this morning I received one of the coolest emails I've ever gotten in my life...from the neighbor who organized our effort. (I devoted an entire blog to that email, it was so ultra cool to recieve from my non-Christian neighbor!!! Check out the link, the email (and blog) are entitled "Confirming my faith in people"!!)