Repairing our little corner

At the center of Christian practice are what Jesus described as the greatest commandments: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37-39) As someone who can occasionally let the totality of a task get in the way of taking the first step, I can feel overwhelmed by the prospect of loving the whole world and forget I am commanded to start by loving my nearest neighbor.

In a recent conversation about the changes in Enfield's neighborhoods and how we as a congregation want to pay attention and respond, one of our members described finding a park-like area that appeared neglected in a neighborhood she passes through for work. She said, "I'm going to call the town and see if I can clean it up--collect the garbage, put in a little mulch." What most struck me is what she said next: "It's a me-sized space. It's a space I can do something about it."

Enfield American Baptist is a small congregation, and our efforts at repairing the world can feel inadequate when placed beside the work of larger, more robust congregations. But feelings of inadequacy are no excuse for inaction, and the greatest motivator for future action is small wins--little successes.

I'm looking this week for more me-sized spaces where I can intervene, speak a positive word, offer a gift of hope. It's not essential that the gift be large--but it is essential that it be given. What can you do this week to repair your own little corner of the world? Join us to share your efforts in a community that knows and cares about each and every member.