Jesus, I have had the same neighbors for the past sixteen years. Even before we bought our house, I prayed for a senior couple to live nearby. This couple has been God’s abundant answer to those prayers. They were available and helpful. When Megan put an ornament in a socket and suffered a burn on her finger, our neighbor put salve on her wound and re-set the breaker that, thankfully, had tripped. When a gopher was digging up our yard, our neighbor was waiting with the shovel to deal with it. They have been reliable and trustworthy. Now they are moving, and I will miss them and the stability they brought to our side of the block. Honestly, I’m afraid of getting new neighbors next door. Next door is real close for a change like that. What if they aren’t trustworthy?  What if they’re not good neighbors? So, Lord, I release this sweet senior couple to you. Bless them in their new place. And help me to receive new neighbors. Please replace my fear with faith.

God’s word to us: You may never know my purpose, but they are there for a reason just as you have been. Do not fear what you do not know. I am always at work around you, even next door. Rest assured, I put your neighbors there for this time and where you are for a reason. You are my beloved. I will take good care of you all the days of your life, wherever you live or whoever lives next door to you. You are my concern and I will love you always. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.  And I have done this.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

My Heart’s Cry for you is that you would know how much Jesus cares for you. He cares about what concerns you. He wants to guard your heart and your mind with peace, but are you praying about what concerns you most? You heard me wrestle with my change with having new neighbors, how I called out to him first by stating what was happening then continued with how I felt. Take time now to pray about this change you fear. Then look at His reassurances. Let me rephrase just two of them for you (Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:38-39).

Precious one, do not fear what you do not know. I am always at work around you. Rest assured, I have made this change for a reason. You may never know the purpose. Remember though that you are my beloved. I will take good care of you all the days of your life. You are my concern and I will love you always.

I’d love to hear your comments.