You Don’t Pick Your Neighbors

Mr.Rogers moved out of my neighborhood a long time ago.

And my neighbor’s trash is the very thorn in my flesh.

Every morning, I walk the perimeter of my 100 yard property (i’m not good at math, but basically, my house is small!), and I pick up bits and pieces of trash that have flown over from my neighbor’s yard. A Dunkin Donuts coffee cup, an empty wrapper of macdonald syrup, a plastic bag, an empty cigarette box….yep, you name it, i’ve picked it up.

I’ve already called the village and complained. Three times.

I’ve seen the neighbors eye me as I bend over to pick up their trash.

I’ve even spoken to them about the problem.

Nada. Nothing. Zip. I’m out of luck. I mean, they nod their heads and look like they have some remorse, but the very next morning, I’ll spot a new candy wrapper sneaking into my yard.

I was about to lose it yesterday when I had a brilliant idea.  I don’t know why i hadn’t thought about it sooner. Anyway, I got this brilliant idea that’s going to resolve my problem. I’m getting a fence put up between us!

Before you accuse me of being un-neighborly, let me remind you that this is the best option for all parties involved. For my neighbors, the benefit is that they no longer have to hear my huffing and puffing every day, and they can continue to throw as much trash in their yard as they want, while I, on the other hand, can maintain the level of cleanliness i long for in my yard.

You may be asking yourself what the point is to my sad little tirade.

As a Christian, sin is much like my neighbor’s trash. It encroaches on your life despite your desire for it to stay as far away as possible. And no matter how much you huff and you puff, there is only one way to keep sin away – build a fence around your heart.

Yes, it may be costly, and it may make you a little uncomfortable to be set apart in any way, but drastic times require drastic measures.

Mind you, I”m not saying stop talking to the neighbors. I’m not even suggesting you put your house in a bubble. No. I’m asking you go on living in your house, and to keep on loving your neighbors, but for your own self preservation, safety and holiness, build that fence around your home and keep sin away.

That’s what’s going on in my neighborhood today.

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