Living in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic corridor, nothing gets me more excited than a good winter Nor’easter. We are in the midst of a record snowstorm in Baltimore. We had a winter’s worth of snowstorm in 24 hours. Schools have been closed for 3-4 days and possibly will be out all week. As expected, many people are upset at plows taking forever, kids losing their minds being trapped in the house, parents losing their minds being trapped inside with those same kids and commercials for Sandals resorts making many contemplate a quick trip to the Bahamas.

But before you book your tickets and hotel, I wanted to stop as a Christian, and take a different look at this “nuisance.” I live in a townhouse community. You are closer to your neighbors than you probably would like to be. If you spend time with friends on the back deck, know that your neighbors can hear your conversations. However, after a big storm, I have a new found appreciation for them.

Over the last few days, I have heard countless stories and experienced my own of neighbors acting…neighborly. Shoveling off each others cars and walks, sharing a snow blower, offering to buy stuff at the store for people who couldn’t get out…dozens of stories. And on top of that, in the busyness of our lives, we forget the neighbors we Christians are supposed to love and reach. Snowstorms make us engage with them. I had several opportunities to talk to my neighbors and just be neighborly.

In the midst of this, a thought occurred to me.

Some of my unchurched neighbors do a better job at loving their neighbors than many Christians do!

Think of it. Why are so many drawn to bars and clubs to experience community, acceptance and value? No- it’s not just about alcohol. They can get that at home or a restaurant. It’s the community factor. Remember the theme song for the TV show Cheers?

So the next snowstorm you face, if you are a believer, it’s time to see opportunity, not nuisance. How might you be able to be Jesus to your neighbors?