An Example of Practical Missional Living: My Parents

Recently my parents were in town for a brief visit and I had an opportunity to have breakfast with them before they made the three hour trip home.  During breakfast our conversation turned to the topic of their neighbors.  Recently their neighbor broke his leg in two places while riding his motorcycle.  Now his wife has to take on extra duties and of course she is feeling a bit stressed.  My mother decided to take a meal over to them and when she did the neighbor came out of the house crying.  Five minutes prior to my mother's visit they received news that her father-in-law had passed away.  The meal was very timely and my mother had an opportunity to be there for them in a difficult time. 

A few days later my mother was mowing the lawn and she decided to mow the neighbors lawn as well.  When the neighbors came home from the funeral she noticed the lawn was mowed and, again crying, spoke to my mother and shared that her birthday was the next day and she didn't know what she was going to do because the lawn required mowing and of course her husband needs cared for and things are just piling up.  She was so touched and grateful for what my mother had done for them.  Both my mother and   father continue to reach out to their neighbors in very practical ways.  The have provided them with a few more meals as well.  My mother said that she can see the hand of God at work in all of this. 

I think this is a great example of practical missional living.  My parents are reaching out to those in their own neighborhood.  They are meeting real needs.  They are also seeing the hand of God at work in all of this.  Lives are being touched as they imitate Christ to their neighbors.   They did not have to ask any special permission before doing this either. 

Let us all aspire to be missionaries wherever we find ourselves.