Good Monday morning,

It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

Recognize those lyrics to a television show theme song?  Yep, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” from the Mr. Rogers Show. Statistics show that these words ring more true today than ever.

In a U.S. News & World Report from a year ago, it was reported that about one in three U.S. adults said they feel lonely at least once a week. Even worse, the report said was that one in 10 Americans say they feel lonely every day.  The article went on to say that younger people are more likely to experience loneliness, which is defined as a lack of meaningful or close relationships or sense of belonging, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s latest Healthy Minds Monthly Poll.  About 30% of those surveyed between the ages 18 to 34 said they feel lonely every day or several times a week.  A CDC report from May of 2024 on mental health found that about 1 in 3 U.S. adults reported feeling lonely and 1 in 4 reported not having social and emotional support.

I also found some information on how people battle loneliness and of course things like watching a TV show, turning to alcohol and/or drugs or using social media helped.  Feeling connected and belonging help the most and those surveyed said that their greatest sense of community comes from being among family, friends, and neighbors.  Loving your neighbor is one way to help ease the epidemic of loneliness in our country.  And in doing so, it is my hope that we introduce our neighbors to Jesus.  Our world needs Jesus, our city needs Jesus and our neighbors need Jesus.  Let me leave you with this thought for the week:  It is no accident you live where you live!

In his great wisdom, God ordained that you should live where you live and who you were going to be neighbors with.   He knew that loving your neighbors was important thousands of years ago and how much more important it would be now.  Over the course of the week I will share more information about being a good neighbor on our Facebook page.  Start today though by thinking about those who live near and around you.  What are their names?  What are their stories?  What might they be going through that having a good neighbor might be a comfort? Can you identify one neighbor who might need and extra “boost” of love this week?

Be intentional.  Have a great week!
P.R.