June 2
Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. Numbers 22:24
When we had our yard enclosed with a fence many years ago, essentially to keep our busy children out of a cranky elderly neighbor’s yard, my father-in law would repeat, “Fences make good neighbors!” His philosophy came from being the eldest in a large family, living in multi-family homes in the city, always surrounded by people and busyness and rarely having any space. An avid fan of Robert Frost’s writings, I remembered that the saying, “Good fences make good neighbors,” is a quote from the thought provoking poem, “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost. Frost poem reflects his participation every spring in the “out-door game” of mending the rock wall that separates his property from his neighbor’s. He questions the “why” of needing this ancient barrier, placed there long before he or his neighbor were even born. Yet, the ritual continues. The wall remains, repaired anew annually as they work together on opposite sides.
Our neighbor was thrilled with the fence now separating our yards! She thoroughly enjoyed her space! Even when the baseballs or basketballs flew out of the enclosed area and landed in her yard, she was quite accepting of it all and would jovially toss the balls back. As time went by, and her needs increased, despite the wall that separated us, our kids were always there for her – running errands, helping in her yard, etc. Later, when she sold her house, almost instantly we were blessed with new friends! Even our dogs became buddies! We and these special people often joke about putting a gate in the part of our fences that faces each other’s homes! There is in fact, a narrow path between our fences, where we often meet to hand things to each other or pass through to get to one another’s house, and where I often envision an angel of the Lord, standing guard, protecting all of us from any harm!
Despite any walls that may separate us, or the fact that we may be on opposite sides of many things with our neighbor, through respect and listening while working together, much can be accomplished. And in that space in between, always remember an angel of the Lord stands.
Forgive us for the barriers we place between each other Lord. May your angel help us pass through them.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. Numbers 22:24
When we had our yard enclosed with a fence many years ago, essentially to keep our busy children out of a cranky elderly neighbor’s yard, my father-in law would repeat, “Fences make good neighbors!” His philosophy came from being the eldest in a large family, living in multi-family homes in the city, always surrounded by people and busyness and rarely having any space. An avid fan of Robert Frost’s writings, I remembered that the saying, “Good fences make good neighbors,” is a quote from the thought provoking poem, “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost. Frost poem reflects his participation every spring in the “out-door game” of mending the rock wall that separates his property from his neighbor’s. He questions the “why” of needing this ancient barrier, placed there long before he or his neighbor were even born. Yet, the ritual continues. The wall remains, repaired anew annually as they work together on opposite sides.
Our neighbor was thrilled with the fence now separating our yards! She thoroughly enjoyed her space! Even when the baseballs or basketballs flew out of the enclosed area and landed in her yard, she was quite accepting of it all and would jovially toss the balls back. As time went by, and her needs increased, despite the wall that separated us, our kids were always there for her – running errands, helping in her yard, etc. Later, when she sold her house, almost instantly we were blessed with new friends! Even our dogs became buddies! We and these special people often joke about putting a gate in the part of our fences that faces each other’s homes! There is in fact, a narrow path between our fences, where we often meet to hand things to each other or pass through to get to one another’s house, and where I often envision an angel of the Lord, standing guard, protecting all of us from any harm!
Despite any walls that may separate us, or the fact that we may be on opposite sides of many things with our neighbor, through respect and listening while working together, much can be accomplished. And in that space in between, always remember an angel of the Lord stands.
Forgive us for the barriers we place between each other Lord. May your angel help us pass through them.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson