Neighbors

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. Do not devise harm against your neighbor, while he lives securely beside you. Proverbs 3:27-29

In today’s world it is not hard to find people who have no idea who the people are who live beside them.  Unfortunately, the term “neighbor” has become more geographical than social.  In years past our neighbors were vital parts of our lives.  There was little to hide when the windows had to be up for real “air conditioning” and the smells of the kitchen floated into the yard.  And then there was the clothesline...

For all of us that are older, this will really bring memories. For those of you who are younger..... It will add some thoughts.

1.    You had to wash the clothes line before hanging any clothes. Walk the length of each line with a damp cloth around the line.

2.    You had to hang the clothes in a certain order and always hang whites with whites and hang them first.

3.    You never hung a shirt by the shoulders, always by the tail... What would the neighbors think?

Clotheslines

A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the fancy sheets
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the company table clothes
With intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth
To folks who lived inside
As brand new infant clothes were hung
So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed
You'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors raised their brows,
And looked disgustedly away.

But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess.

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!

We don’t get out in our yards much anymore.  Ladies used to share a lot while they hung the wash and the men as they worked in their yards.  The clothes dryer and loud power yard equipment have taken away a big part of our social communication.  Now, if you want a neighbor, you have to be one.  This might be a good day to meet your neighbor.

Scripture to Claim:

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8