Meeting A Need

October 27, 2022 by  
Filed under Daily Devotions

By Anne Johnson –

My children reclined on my neighbor’s couch. After a thorough search through all the channels they finally agreed to watch Looney Tunes. My neighbor, Dee, and I took up our normal stations in the recliners.

“I suffer from A.D.D,” Dee offered.

“Oh?” I asked.

“Yes, I was really embarrassed last night and made my daughter take me home early from supper.”

“Oh, really? But why?”

“‘Cause of A.D.D,” she giggled, “you know, after dinner diarrhea.”

Our laughter startled the children. “What? What?” they shouted over our uproarious cacophony.

For over four years, I have been privileged to fellowship with Dee. Our relationship began formally with a simple, “Hi” or “Hello,” over the backyard fence. For over six years we lived side by side without really knowing each other.

One sunny afternoon, my children and I were in the backyard when we spied Dee sitting on her porch swing. Her normal cheerful disposition seemed masked by weariness and fatigue. She attempted a smile, but it appeared to drain the last bit of energy she possessed. She explained that her husband had suffered a stroke, and she was forced to retire to care for him.

Jesus preached to the people of His time that by meeting the needs of others we are caring also for Him. By giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcoming a stranger or visiting the sick, we live out Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36. So I asked Dee if the kids and I could bring over a meal and join her for lunch the next day.

The following afternoon, I warned the kids to be on their best behavior as we stood on the stoop of her house. From the moment she invited us in, we were blessed by Dee’s friendliness. Her warmth and kindness filled her home like the scent of fresh-baked bread.

The following week, my children asked when we were going over to our neighbor’s house and talk again. I didn’t want to seem pushy, but they persisted. What started as a gesture to visit the sick and welcome a stranger, turned into a weekly event. Our neighbor was adopted by my children and became “Grandma Dee.”

After her husband’s death, we continued to get together and “chin wag” as we fondly call it. While the children lounge on Grandma’s sofa, we share our hearts with each other. Nothing is off-limits. Our friendship is refreshing and rewarding. Grandma Dee is a true kindred spirit. Though there is quite a few years difference between us, we discovered we share a fondness for quirky songs, and when one of us begins singing a random song, the other pipes up too.

While Grandma shared her story with the kids about her A.D.D.(no details mentioned), I realized how important our “chin wag” dates had become to me. For over four years, we have shared our lives together and laughed our way through tragedies and successes. Through meeting the need of my neighbor I have been eternally blessed.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36 NIV).

About Anne Johnson

Anne Johnson spends her time being a wife and mother, home school teacher, writer, registered nurse and loves spending time watching God do amazing things in her and her families lives.
  • Advertisement

Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!


Prove You\'re Human: *