Neighbor Prayers

"Arise my beloved, my beautiful one, and come along."  Scripture from the Song of Songs internally greeted me as I awoke Sunday morning.  I had asked Jesus to wake me for 6:30 AM Mass at Lourdes so I could start my bread dough before 8:00.  What a joy it is to wake up knowing Jesus wants to live "In", walk "With" and love "Through" me.  What a day we were going to have together. 

We have been praying for a broken relationship in our neighborhood for a long time. What little faith I had.   I never thought it would be reconciled. Sunday was the day.  5 households were out in the alley Sunday.  Trees needed to be cut down. and we have a wood stove.  Our neighbor to the East of us had planned all along to give us his tree.  The neighbor behind us had other friends he wanted to give the wood to.  But they didn't show up.  Maleny and David spent the morning helping the family with the two big trees in their front yard.  They dragged branch after branch with leaves on them into the "Jones' " back yard.  Mr. Jones asked us to come get the wood because his helpers hadn't shown up. The whole family and other neighbors raided his yard to take care of the mess. I brought over my bread once it was out of the oven.  We broke bread and were a working neighborhood.  The wife of whom I have had a not been on speaking terms graciously (addressing me by name) thanked me.  At the end of the day I had the courage to state that Jesus was Lord of our past, present and future.  Then I asked her if she thought we could love each other now.  And she replied "Yes." 

All I can do is be responsible for my own surrender to the Holy Spirit from day to day.  Being the reservoir from which overflows excess into the field around me is much easier than concentrating on the dry ground around the receptacle. Fretting about receptivity covers the rain barrel and no one gets any water.  I don't think this is the end to offenses.  I am sure I will offend again, but Jesus is Lord of that future, Jesus, I trust in you.