My son and I noticed our neighbor and her 4-year-old son, who moved in the month before, were outside. We went over to introduce ourselves. After five minutes of easy conversation, she was telling me that she and her husband were hoping for community and were excited to meet us. A few weeks later I initiated going to the park with her and her son. At the park she told me how glad she was that I initiated both times with her; she had wanted to but was too shy to do anything like that.
I realized how many people are so hungry for relationships with others at similar places in life but don’t have the courage to step out and ask. (All we had in common was our street, young boys, and artistic husbands.) This family was new to the area, and because I was one of the few who did reach out to her in kindness, she was ready to receive me into community with her. I am not sure where she is in relationship to God, but now we have a natural way to build a friendship and deeper connection. This God encounter is teaching me how simple things like initiative and care can be so powerful in gaining a few of the many timid hearts who long for someone to reach out to them.