Tragedy stuck that bitter night. A single mother left her two small children alone and walked past my friend’s house to borrow food two blocks away. While she was away, fire destroyed her house taking the lives of her two children. My friend was devastated. He had food and resources. He could have helped, but he didn’t know the neighbor and she didn’t know him. That night changed his life and his leadership style of being neighborly.
It was a fateful night, a forty five degree below zero Canadian winter. The wind was especially wicked making the cold unbearable. The best relief my friend and mentor could find was a tall mug of hot chocolate in front of his fireplace with a good book. He heard the four fire trucks enter his street and watched the police park several houses away. His thoughts were with the emergency services people; he admired their dedication and wondered with honest concern what to do. He returned to his reading realizing there was nothing he could do.
My good friend was an Elder in his church that he attended twice on Sunday. He was active in his community and civic politics. What my friend realized, was that his neighbors did not really know him. His neighbors didn’t know he would have given groceries and even repaired the ailing furnace. His neighbors didn’t know that he gave freely and would have done anything to help.
What matters? Do your neighbors know you? Do your friends and work associates know that God loves them and has a plan for their lives?
Leadership is, knowing your neighbors.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com