“I’m saving myself for my new place,” I told my friend Lori the other day.  “I’m not making cookies for anyone or carrying on any long or in depth conversations.”

This was in reference to not wanting to connect with people in our current temporary living situation.  How terrible does that sound?  My anti-self was rearing it’s hideous head with that ugly roar.

Why would that thought come into my heart and mind and why, oh why, would I let it escape out of my mouth and stain the air around me?

Well, for one, I was with Lori.  My dear friend and one of my local sounding boards for all things raw and ugly and real.  She listens without judgment and then is kind enough to speak truth into my life when  I’ve gone rogue like one of those nasty chin hairs.

For another, it’s how I really felt.  To be honest, this rental and waiting for our “real” place to finish being built has left me feeling off.  Uprooted. Not me-ish.  Like a long-term house guest that can’t quite seem to unpack that suitcase and live like a real human being.  Why would I want to connect with neighbors that aren’t really mine?  What real difference can I make in someone’s life whom I might never see again?

Besides, I already have so many people in my life that I have a hard time keeping up with.  Why would I add “temporary” people into that mix?  Why wouldn’t I “save” myself for the neighbors I will be sharing the next chapter of my life with in just a few short (?) months?

But these are excuses.  Every one of them.  And not even creative ones.

It was emotional laziness at it’s worst. Apparently, my short-sighted heart was okay with brushing aside God’s Word which tells me to “love my neighbor” and to “make the most of every opportunity”.

Thankfully, God, in His good humor and patient grace, doesn’t let me stay long in my selfish way of thinking. Ever. I can almost see Him smiling out loud when He has sent each of my surrounding neighbors to me as I’m trying to sneak out of my garage door.  They want to know my name.  They want to know my story and if I’ll share a barbecued steak with them on our shared driveway.  They are incredibly nice and completely genuine, which makes my self-centered attitude look even more like a pile of dog crap.

And, speaking of canines, yesterday I had gone out to walk the dogs (there is no end to this in condo living) and was just about to sneak back into my front door unnoticed, when I heard an unfamiliar voice say, “Hi!”

There he was.  My next door neighbor whom I hadn’t officially met yet, sitting on his front porch in his boxers and a t-shirt, enjoying an e-cig.

This took me off guard because 1) I hadn’t seen him sitting there when I walked by 2) I knew he had mentioned to our landlord that he’d heard our dogs barking, so was pretty sure we weren’t on his A-list, and 3) well, he was in his skivvies.

My whole plan to stay isolated and invisible fell apart when he told me his name was Jack. (Yes, I got “Hi!”-Jacked.) That he and his husband were new to California from the east coast.  That he managed a grocery store and didn’t drive.  That he loved to power walk and had four cats.  That he’d just returned from a family wedding in Philly and was so glad to be back home.  That he grew veggies and herbs in the community garden on the condo campus.

But something else was happening under the surface. With every word that came out of his mouth, I began to see the things that weren’t said. The things that my re-engaged heart was hearing. That he was lonely.  Afraid.  Kind.  Gentle.  Friendly.  That maybe he had spent a good portion of his life misunderstood, possibly mistreated.

That Jack was a beautiful human, my neighbor with a name and a face, that needed and deserved love. That God had purposely put him in my day.

Then the unexpected happened. The people that I didn’t want to invest time, energy or heart into just days prior, those people that I’d been avoiding, began to emerge in my mind as individual people that have a face with a name and a story and a loving Father who adores them.  People that have an eternal soul.

In the realm of God and people, NOTHING IS TEMPORARY.

I left my conversation with Jack changed.  Perspective-wise.  Obedience-wise.

Like a refresh button was pushed I remembered that I need to “make the most of every opportunity”, regardless of my situation.  I need to regard every person, place and moment as an opportunity waiting for my “most”.

Hours later, I came home to a bag full of beautiful veggies and fragrant fresh herbs from Jack’s garden.  The perfect ingredients for my “humble pie”.

And my declaration that I would not make cookies for the “temporary” people in my life?  Well, let’s just say that Jack and his household will be getting some Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars this afternoon, baked with a little more love than the recipe called for.

Mark 12:30-31 – ” ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.“

Colossians 4:5-6 – Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Hebrews 13:2 – Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!