The coronavirus has rapidly and radically changed almost everything we recognize as normal life. We are faced with dizzying restrictions and cancellations, but with those have also come a few new unique opportunities. One of the most obvious is the opportunity to care more intentionally for our neighbors.
If you already know your neighbors well, you can initiate that care easily, but if you don’t, here’s a simple idea – share your contact information with them and let them know you are available if they have a need. This is one time that gesture won’t seem awkward!
Some ways you might do that:
- Write and deliver a hand-written note. It might be as simple as “We’re neighbors. We want to be here for each other. Let’s stay in touch. Here’s our phone number and address in the neighborhood:”
- Print and hand out this template (taken from a helpful TGC article published recently.)
- Use the Next Door site to share your contact information and intentions.
This probably goes without saying, but as you communicate with your neighbors and have opportunities to serve them, please use our healthy helping guidelines. If you’re able to deliver some groceries, pick up a prescription, or drop off a meal, tell your neighbor what steps you’ll take to minimize risk.
Finally, and most importantly, remember to pray for your neighbors! Pray for their safety and well-being, pray for new or improved relationships to develop, and pray the Lord would use this crisis to bring many of them to saving faith in Him!