In this blog series we want to show you that it is actually really easy to make an impact where you live. We hope you start to see that more by reading this series!
A while ago I heard this quote from a friend: “Excuse my mess but I live here”. Sometimes we try to bring everything in our home to a perfect standard before people come over. That can turn into a real stressful situation and sometimes the feeling of not wanting to have people over. As an example if you just have people over if your house is absolute immaculate, it will limit the amount of interaction you get with your neighbors. Reality is, they know as much as you do that your house is not always looking like a show home. You know why, because there home is not looking like that either. Actually sometimes it can even set up an un unhealthy standard. Your neighbor might feel then they have to have the hose even cleaner than yours so they don’t even try to invite you over.
Be real with people, show them your life and house how it really is. The same is also true for when you make a dinner. You don’t have to make a five course meal everytime a neighbor comes over. Invite them to the meal you and your family are eating. When you do that it creates more of an atmosphere of you really inviting them into your life, which is something you actually want to do. And again it makes it easier on them to invite people over. Of course there are exceptions to that. If you have a Christmas dinner you can make a special meal and clean your house extra shiny. But lets be real, you would have done that no matter if your neighbors come over or not.
Ask yourself:
- Look at your life and see in which areas you need to relax when you have people over. Also ask yourself the question what is causing a certain standard.
- Invite neighbors over for a meal that you would eat anyway and invite them through that into your life!
Go for it and have a great week with neighbors
Hey our friend
Summer, Summer, Summer and we think all of us love it. We had a wonderful week at the YWAM Staff Retreat. It is always a great way to reconnect with people that you don’t see on a regular base. This week we ask for your Prayers since we will be working on the book that will give people ideas and ways on how to do what we are doing and through that create a neighbor community. Pray for inspiration and the right words. Also pray for wisdom since neither Jen nor I have ever written a book. Thank you for praying with us.
Remember this week that you are valuable and loved by Father God.
Have a blessed week
Markus and Jen