Treadmill Blues

It has been three weeks now since our neighbor, Steve, decided to drag an old and battered treadmill out of his garage in an attempt to "sell" it off his front porch. And while I appreciate his "my trash might be another man's treasure" mentality, it certainly doesn't bode well for us, who are desperately trying to sell our home.

It has made me more accutely aware, however, of what it truly means to live in community. I have often used this phrase when talking about those whom I "choose" to be in community with- my friends, my bible study members, my church family, my parents, etc., but I don't always think of living with grace and mercy among the larger community. And of course, I certainly know the verse that says, "love your neighbor as yourself," but, man, it sure makes it tough when your neighbor does something that you would never dream about doing. Loving him then becomes much more aggrivating.

I wish I could say that living in community with Steve is easy and comes naturally, but it doesn't. It's hard to extend grace. It's hard to show compassion. And it's hard to not roll my eyes when I walk up to my front door and stare at a beat up old treadmill covered up now by an even uglier blue tarp.



Blessings,
Katie