Spend some time with Lisa Meiners, and you’ll want to go “Deeper Still” in your faith and friendships. In this guest post, Lisa shares how God gave her a do over in her neighborhood – and she’s also sharing a generous gift with you. Leave a comment or tag The Neighborhood Cafe when you share this post, and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Words with God, Lisa’s 31-day devotional. Winner will be chosen November 14. 

My one request when we moved to Dayton, Ohio, from Staten Island, New York? To live in a neighborhood.

I wanted neighbors. I wanted my kids to play in the driveway with other neighbor kids. I wanted to take my kids for wagon rides around the cul-de-sac. I didn’t want to be in the country (my husband’s first choice), alone with three children under three years old and no one to borrow eggs from in a cooking emergency. I needed, and wanted, people around me. I wanted neighbors.

It didn’t take long once we moved in for walks around the cul-de-sac to become a daily part of our schedule. One particular walk became a moment in my history with God that is forever marked with a remembrance stone, modeling the Israelites. Why? Because God showed up in a big way!

I was raised to know my neighbors and share my faith through living life side by side. So, I came into my new neighborhood wanting to share my love for Jesus as the heartbeat of our home and parenting through daily interaction over ordinary life situations with our new neighbors.

I came into my new neighborhood wanting to share my love for Jesus as the heartbeat of our home.

As I pulled the wagon with my children sitting inside, I saw her approaching me from the opposite direction. Somewhere in the middle of a brief introduction to one another I mentioned getting up every day at 5:00 AM. Obviously intrigued, she asked why I got up this early every day! I froze for what seemed like five minutes but was really a mere breath or two.

I knew in that moment God was asking me to share why I woke up so early, but out of my mouth came a weak, “To just do things.” Smiling, she moved on in our conversation.

Can I just tell you the overwhelming sense of guilt that slammed right into my heart as I picked up the wagon handle to finish our walk? I wanted a do over. I wanted a second chance.

After scolding myself for a good day or two, I became still over the situation. I silently whispered, begging God for a second chance. Not because I deserved it. Not because I was worthy. But, because I wanted a second chance to speak of my early morning quiet times with someone so important to me. I wanted to share how I find empowerment for a day with little ones, wisdom for daily decisions and peace that passes all understanding in those early morning quiet times.

One week to the day, in His infinite grace, He gave me what I didn’t deserve, a second chance. He opened the door wide for me as my kids and I journeyed around the cul-de-sac yet once again! I must have said “Thank You!” a thousand times, like a teenager who gets Chik-Fil-A for no reason.

It was like the clouds divided and the angels sang a song when she asked for more details about my early mornings. He is a God of second chances.

Because of my regret, which led to my request, God opened a door to walk right through with a gentle spirit, ready to share openly with my neighbor in my neighborhood.

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For more of Lisa’s insightful and engaging life lessons, her devotional and other materials visit www.deeperstillministries.com.

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