How to Be a Better Neighbor- Part 1

In October 2006 the Omaha World Herald ran a story titled “Alone Far Too Long in Omaha.” A woman named Karen Freelin had died in her upscale home on 90th street in the west end of the city.

No one had seen the 59-year-old woman since May the year before. In July 2006, a neighbor complained about the lack of upkeep at the vacant house, a nice ranch home with several trees and shrubs to shield it from the busy street.


The city sent a letter. In October, when there was no response, a housing inspector was sent to visit the home. He found Freelin’s body. An autopsy determined she’d died sometime after she left a hospital in March 2005, more than half a year before the discovery.


The news story said she had been living without heat or lights. While I cut out the story, I wondered, What happened to her mail? What about family? Why didn’t the neighbors notice sooner? What about me?

I’d driven past that home on my way to work every day for years. Although I spent a lot of my commute time praying, I never prayed for the residents of that neighborhood.
The article started me questioning who looked out for my neighbors, my family in a distant state, and even my co-workers. I started asking the biblical question of myself and others: “Who is my neighbor?”

In 2007 I interviewed Louisville Christian Church teens about their mission trip to serve the Yakima Indian Reservation in Washington. The three 15-year-old teens returned home inspired to ask, “What about our own neighbors in Louisville?”

“I do some community service here in Louisville—a little bit,” Trista said. “But after the workshops at the reservation, I know I need to be more involved here at home. Like, care about others more and just listen.” Moved to tears more than once while she worked in the Yakima daycare, she added, “The lunches were such small portions, I couldn’t see how the kids had enough food. When they left for the afternoon, I had a snack before the evening meal—they didn’t receive one. It makes me realize there are families in my community that might be hungry, and I want to do something about it.”

Jessie worked in the daycare also. By noticing the children’s demeanor, she realized the impact of verbal putdowns. “Some of these little kids have it in their head that they are dumb and useless. It really hit me—how if you say something even one time, it can affect the other person. Even if you are kidding around, someone might not take it as a joke. I know it happens at my school—it needs to change.”

Building a compost heap spoke to Kevin. When he arrived home, he spent two hours telling his grandmother about the work he had done and how rural communities need to be more aware of their responsibility. He learned a lot about the need to recycle.
It’s great to return from a mission trip with ideas of how to help a needy neighbor, or—like me—a wish to blanket the community with protection. But what about the person who doesn’t want your help, the one that can’t seem to hold a job, or the recluse next door? What about neighbors who wonder if you are someone they can trust?

We may not be able to make a huge difference. But Jesus gave us a simple rule to apply to our everyday lives, whether at school, on the job, or in our neighborhood. In Matthew 19:19, He said, “Honor your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In other words, do what you can.


Be Blessed and Be a Blessing to One Another!



Dawn