Neighborly Neighbors
Boston, a city known for its fast-paced, cosmopolitan culture has also been judged “the least friendly city in the US” (according to a study done by the University of Michigan). According to the study, Bostonians are “rude and proud of it.” So, we were not surprised when our Bostonian friend decided it was time for a change. In a world of remote work that allows a ‘live anywhere’ lifestyle, our friend decided to exchange the hustle and bustle of his northeast city for the charm of the “Paris of the South”- Ashville, North Carolina. Ashville has been deemed the “friendliest place in the South” by Southern Living magazine. With its winding, hilly streets graced by architectural gems from the past, Ashville blends the stunning natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a rich arts and culture scene. Whether you are drawn to outdoor adventures or streets lined with shops and restaurants to delight all the senses, this charming mountain city offers something for everyone!
But, when our friend made Ashville his new, ‘forever’ home three months ago, he could not have imagined Hurricane Helene. Aren’t hurricanes supposed to strike along the coastline? Surely his new mountain retreat would be safe from tropical storms. Who could have imagined that a hurricane would cause flooding so far inland? Yet, on Friday, tropical storm Helene swept through western North Carolina striking Ashville head on. The rain and winds of the storm caused massive power outages, dam and reservoir breaches, downed trees and destroyed homes. Many of the shelters designed to protect the public, lay in the lowlands directly in the path of the swiftly moving waters, leaving many without a safe haven in the aftermath of the storm.
Our friend’s new home is set high on a hill to give him an enviable view of the area’s natural beauty. From that location, he watched the disaster unfold, untouched but horrified. Then he witnessed something amazing. Neighbors being neighborly. With a shortage of shelter space, the people of Ashville began to open their homes to neighbors they did not know. Food, water and a roof over the head offered freely. My father-in-law always said, “Fish and houseguests smell after three days.” But in Ashville, the hospitality to neighbors in need continues. The damage to the city and the surrounding area is extensive, so the clean-up will take time. Those houseguests may need to stay for a while. It will take a city of neighbors to rebuild the place they love.
Watching the videos of hurricane- then tropical storm- Helene this weekend, left me thinking about the disaster happening in our nation these days. It is unfolding in slow but sure waves, and like Helene it is hitting some areas with greater concentration than others. Helene was a natural disaster, but what is sweeping across our nation is not-so-natural. They call this disaster the election season, but that sounds too benign. Those of us unfortunate enough to live in a ‘swing’ state feel the tug and pull as politicians attempt to win our vote- one attack ad after another using half-truths and even lies. Politicians seek to win by dividing and conquering. Every week, I look out on a congregation who stand on both sides of that divide, praying as I preach that the politicians will not win at their game. Jesus teaches us to be neighbor… to heal the forces of a disaster with love. Can we stand in the face of those who would seek to divide us, choosing instead to be neighborly neighbors? It will take a nation of neighbors to heal the division our politicians have inspired.
On Sunday, I watched the Phillies play their last regular season game against the Washington Nationals. In the top of the 7th, Weston Wilson was up at bat. Trea Turner was on first, itching to steal second. Wilson watched without taking a swing as a strike crossed the plate- a missed opportunity, but not for Truner. He took off to steal second base, diving the last few feet with his mitt hand outstretched. The catcher’s reaction was also swift, throwing the ball to Louise Garcia, the 2nd baseman. The umpire called Turner out. When the call was challenged, Turner and Garcia stood and chatted. They shared a friendly banter, while umpires, sports commentators and the viewing public considered the play from different angles. The commentators, and those of us who are Phillies fans all agreed that Turner was safe. Turner also believed he was safe. But, when the umpire declared that “upon review” he was still “OUT”, Turner fist-bumped Garcia and walked off the field. No animosity. No anger. Just ready to get back in the game.
The consequences of the storm brewing in our nation are much more dire than the outcome of a baseball game. But I am wondering if we could learn a thing or two from Turner and Garcia. Or could we learn from the instinct of hospitality in Ashville. Politicians are drawing up battle lines. They call us to take sides. Too quickly we accept division. But Jesus calls us to unity. His last prayer before he faced the cross was that we would be one as he and the Father are one. Division is not a Godly choice. We can disagree, but we must not allow division. We can debate, but we cannot hate. Imagine if we heeded the call given in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 3:17)
With you learning to be a neighborly neighbor,
Anita
But, when our friend made Ashville his new, ‘forever’ home three months ago, he could not have imagined Hurricane Helene. Aren’t hurricanes supposed to strike along the coastline? Surely his new mountain retreat would be safe from tropical storms. Who could have imagined that a hurricane would cause flooding so far inland? Yet, on Friday, tropical storm Helene swept through western North Carolina striking Ashville head on. The rain and winds of the storm caused massive power outages, dam and reservoir breaches, downed trees and destroyed homes. Many of the shelters designed to protect the public, lay in the lowlands directly in the path of the swiftly moving waters, leaving many without a safe haven in the aftermath of the storm.
Our friend’s new home is set high on a hill to give him an enviable view of the area’s natural beauty. From that location, he watched the disaster unfold, untouched but horrified. Then he witnessed something amazing. Neighbors being neighborly. With a shortage of shelter space, the people of Ashville began to open their homes to neighbors they did not know. Food, water and a roof over the head offered freely. My father-in-law always said, “Fish and houseguests smell after three days.” But in Ashville, the hospitality to neighbors in need continues. The damage to the city and the surrounding area is extensive, so the clean-up will take time. Those houseguests may need to stay for a while. It will take a city of neighbors to rebuild the place they love.
Watching the videos of hurricane- then tropical storm- Helene this weekend, left me thinking about the disaster happening in our nation these days. It is unfolding in slow but sure waves, and like Helene it is hitting some areas with greater concentration than others. Helene was a natural disaster, but what is sweeping across our nation is not-so-natural. They call this disaster the election season, but that sounds too benign. Those of us unfortunate enough to live in a ‘swing’ state feel the tug and pull as politicians attempt to win our vote- one attack ad after another using half-truths and even lies. Politicians seek to win by dividing and conquering. Every week, I look out on a congregation who stand on both sides of that divide, praying as I preach that the politicians will not win at their game. Jesus teaches us to be neighbor… to heal the forces of a disaster with love. Can we stand in the face of those who would seek to divide us, choosing instead to be neighborly neighbors? It will take a nation of neighbors to heal the division our politicians have inspired.
On Sunday, I watched the Phillies play their last regular season game against the Washington Nationals. In the top of the 7th, Weston Wilson was up at bat. Trea Turner was on first, itching to steal second. Wilson watched without taking a swing as a strike crossed the plate- a missed opportunity, but not for Truner. He took off to steal second base, diving the last few feet with his mitt hand outstretched. The catcher’s reaction was also swift, throwing the ball to Louise Garcia, the 2nd baseman. The umpire called Turner out. When the call was challenged, Turner and Garcia stood and chatted. They shared a friendly banter, while umpires, sports commentators and the viewing public considered the play from different angles. The commentators, and those of us who are Phillies fans all agreed that Turner was safe. Turner also believed he was safe. But, when the umpire declared that “upon review” he was still “OUT”, Turner fist-bumped Garcia and walked off the field. No animosity. No anger. Just ready to get back in the game.
The consequences of the storm brewing in our nation are much more dire than the outcome of a baseball game. But I am wondering if we could learn a thing or two from Turner and Garcia. Or could we learn from the instinct of hospitality in Ashville. Politicians are drawing up battle lines. They call us to take sides. Too quickly we accept division. But Jesus calls us to unity. His last prayer before he faced the cross was that we would be one as he and the Father are one. Division is not a Godly choice. We can disagree, but we must not allow division. We can debate, but we cannot hate. Imagine if we heeded the call given in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 3:17)
With you learning to be a neighborly neighbor,
Anita
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