"if you had been here..." John 11:21

Some people say that garages are the worst thing ever invented because they keep neighbors from connecting with each other. But I think that isolating ourselves comes from within, not from something external. If people dont want to connect with thier community/neighbors they will find something from keeping them from doing so. 

My neighbor Carrie taught me how to be a neighbor. She is constantly serving her neighbors. For instance one snowy morning before 8am she had shoveled our driveway, our neighbors, the other neighbor across and the street, her own and all the sidewalks in between. She watches our boys once a week (as she also does stuff around our house that needs to be done), she cleans the older man's house next door and helps out with other neighbors too.  God uses her in amazing ways to be a blessing to the people around her.

Two days ago our house went under contract. Oh the mixed feelings. Some excitement because we are going to get to see God come through in providing a place for us (since there is nothing we are looking for right now), but sadness to leave our neighbors. With another baby on the way and two toddlers, what will I do without Carrie?

But then I think of Martha who felt the same way when Jesus left and her brother Lazarus died. "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jn 11:21 And this brings me back to something I have been processing for awhile. God seems to move people in an out of peoples lives for His glory. (Except for the one relationship He wants to be an always remain relationship-marriage). Because Jesus was not in Mary and Martha's life at this time (when thier brother died), lots and lots of people came to put thier trust in Him and God's glory/character in His power over death was revealed. (read it in John 11 & 12)

This is what God has brought to my mind during my college roomates weddings. One of which was a few weeks ago. Four of us (who seemed to be a picture of the four temperments) lived together for a couple years in Durango and were the best of friends. That was many years ago. They were all in my wedding, one of whom was my maid of honor. My maid of honors wedding was the one I went to a few weeks ago. And as I watched her walk down the isle to some guy I had never met and not knowing really what the last 10 years of her life had been like, sadness came over me. Years ago God moved us all to different cities and put different relationships in our lives. But I have His Word to cling to that b/c we left each other God will be glorified more  and more people will put thier trust in Him. And not only that but that our seperation is not eternal, we all know and love Jesus and will get to hang out in heaven. And not only that but God will do things in our hearts that would never happen if we were still four peas in a pod. So there is hope in people moving in an out of our lives. A hope for now and a hope for the future.

So the best thing for us and for our neighbors is to follow where God is leading us and let go letting Him bring a new family to this neighborhood so that "God's Son may be glorified through it." Jn 11:4