Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin. —Zechariah 4:10a NLT

My husband and I have lived in our current home for nearly seven years. It’s a small neighborhood with just 18 homes comfortably set apart and a good distance from the main road. Most of our neighbors work outside the home, and except for waves as we drive by one another, we haven’t had much interaction. We previously lived on a cul-de-sac where we knew nearly everyone, and we missed “knowing” our neighbors. Here, it had been slow going. In the final year of Covid, when most of us were starved for human interaction, my husband had the idea to have a simple block party. We created flyers and walked to each of the 18 houses to hand them out.

Our first stop was at the house directly across the street. A lady greeted us, and when we gave her the invitation, her eyes filled with tears. “Maybe you haven’t heard. My husband died a few months ago,” she told us, and stepped outside to share what they had been through. We were in shock. Our neighbor across the street had just lost her husband, and if we had not decided to put together a party, we never would have known. We expressed our condolences before continuing down the road.

That first year, the block party was pretty well attended. The next year, it was really well attended! People even began asking in the weeks leading up to it, “So, when is this year’s block party?” Everyone who was in town attended and stayed beyond the scheduled ending time. In my mind, I can still see people in small circles getting to know one another; others playing cornhole; little ones riding bikes; and a table full of delicious food. This party, that brought our neighbors together, was surprisingly easy to organize. Each family only had to bring meat for their family, chairs, and a dish to share. But it was the neighbors who jumped in to make it truly memorable. One man created a playlist of familiar songs for us to listen to from the speakers in the back of his truck. Some brought lawn games and grills. Others brought bottles of water and garbage cans. And in that group of people was the woman who had been recently widowed.

Creating community can seem hard. It doesn’t just happen. Someone needs to take the initiative. Perhaps you can relate to the same excuses I’ve had: I’m too tired to add something else this week. I just need some time alone. I don’t want to be responsible for making this happen every month (week, year). When I let my mind go down those paths, I am forgetting (at least) two important truths.

First, I am called to represent Jesus to those who don’t yet know Him. That can happen in so many ways: I can stop and ask, “How was your day?” I can look in someone’s eyes and simply listen for a few minutes. I can pay a compliment. I can meet a tangible need.

Second, God designed us to be in community, to be in one another’s lives, to rejoice with others in the good, to share in the hard places, and to simply walk alongside one another in the day-to-day.

Recently, at a game night in our home, we learned that a neighbor would be having brain surgery. We listened as she shared the details of what was ahead and the length of recuperation. Two of those present were able to bless her and her family in the days following her discharge from the hospital. I look forward to the day when I have the opportunity to talk with her about Jesus and what He means to me. We need each other. Not only will we be a blessing to others, they will bless us.

We have shared life with our neighbors in wonderful ways since that first block party. We cheered on one little girl as she learned to ride a two-wheeler. We prayed for the couple who welcomed three foster children into their home. We shared in the first days of school as a young mom and her new kindergartner waited for the bus. We grieved with other neighbors who lost loved ones they had cared for many years in their homes. We no longer simply have neighbors. We have friends. Creating community doesn’t have to be complicated; it can begin with a flyer.

Father, forgive me when I want to stay in my cocoon and not reach out, either to learn to know others or let them get to know me. Thank You for creating in us a need for each other. Your ways are loving and wise and good. Help me to always represent You well to those around me. In Jesus’ Name, I pray.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
so that we may sing for joy to the ends of our lives. (Psalm 90:14)

Judy Wilson

Sweet Selah Ministries 

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet

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