Won’t You Be My Neighbor: Seeing Strangers

Hospitality, showing love and care for strangers, is often done in our homes over dinner, in conversations at work, or in our neighborhoods. However, when we’re running errands, having picnics, or sitting in traffic, we’re surrounded by strangers whom we frequently ignore.

Why settle for isolation? Why not reach for something more? If you’re like me, then your day is made better when someone smiles or demonstrates kindness. Let’s aim to engage the human beings who cross our paths. Here are two ways to increase the amount of human connection in the world and begin truly seeing the strangers surrounding you.

1. Look For Their Need

As I talked with my wife about writing this article, she began sharing story after story of strangers seeing her and helping in simple ways to show her love. We have four kids (so far!) and there have been many shopping trips when pregnant and trailing the other kids where someone has helped load or unload a cart and made a tremendous difference in her day.

Those strangers saw someone in need of their help and they gave it. That begins with an attitude of looking for a need. The next time you’re out running errands, take a glance around to see if you can spot someone in need of a helping hand. You can show hospitality in a real way with even a small gesture.

2. Look For Your Extra

At the First Saturday Market in June, our church hosted the inflatable jump zone – but the people we really were able to show kindness to were some of the other vendors. 

Some volunteers made food for our team members. Instead of letting the leftovers spoil in the sun, we, in a somewhat awkward fashion, went from booth to booth offering our extra sandwiches, cookies, and water to the other vendors. Some had brought their own, but quite a few hadn’t since this was their first market, and it turned out to be a great way to demonstrate that we loved them. All because we had extra.

So often our extra gets thrown out. It can be more work to repurpose something or to find a new owner than it is to simply get rid of it. It can be quite uncomfortable to offer someone your extra when they may turn you down. But when you examine your extra, you’ll often find that it perfectly fits someone else’s invisible need. This is a path towards true hospitality. Won’t you be my neighbor?

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Related Articles

Young Voices Shine Home Link Writing Contest

Home Link recently held their annual short story writing competition. More than twenty 3rd-12th grade kids participated this year. In a competition that encourages six-trait story telling, but welcomes writers of all experience levels to tell a tale.

Read More »

Library Campaigns Feed Minds and Fight Hunger

This April, the Spokane County Library District is turning the page on two pressing issues, literacy and hunger, by launching Library Giving Day and the Bites & Books food drive. These twin campaigns aim to nourish both minds and bodies, ensuring every child in the community has access to books and basic nutrition.

Read More »

Gerald Ray “Jerry” Knight, 1933-2025

Gerald Ray “Jerry” Knight, born November 23, 1933, in Spokane, Washington, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and love. Jerry was the beloved son of Albert James Knight and Nora Marie Mack Knight. He spent his formative years in Dover, Idaho, and Usk, Washington, alongside his little sister, Chrystal, to whom he was a life-long protector.

Read More »

April 16 Open House: City Of Deer Park Seeks Input

The City of Deer Park is inviting residents to an open house to provide input on long-term plans for growth, transportation, housing, small agricultural animals, and land use. The event is part of a periodic update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan as state law requires.

Read More »

Ronald R Baird

Ronald Ray Baird was born September 9, 1946 to Thomas and Laverne (Brown) Baird in Newton, KS. He passed away January 22, 2025 at his beloved home on the Pend Oreille River, near Usk, WA. Ron grew up in a rough and tumble home, the 4th of 5 brothers, Dick, Steve, Herb, Ron, and Mike. Ron attended and graduated from Remington High School in 1965. While there, he lettered in football (#60) and was selected as an all-league lineman.

Read More »

Gallery: Miss Deer Park 2025 Elegance & Achievement

The Miss Deer Park Scholarship Association chose their 71st representatives. The program was rich with poise and promise as six talented young ladies took to the stage. From fitness to composure, they held nothing back while competing to be the face of Deer Park. An image gallery awaits because what’s a royal moment without a little paparazzi?

Read More »

Share this!

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Share this!

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Read more news.

Beat The Heat

The sweat may be trickling down your back, but your heart still wants to reach out and connect with your neighbors. Here are five favorite

Read More »

Subscribe to our emails

Use the form below to sign up to receive news via email at no cost to you.

Read & Support The

Local news to keep you informed and entertained. The Deer Park Gazette is locally owned and operated. When you support the Deer Park Gazette, you support local writers and photographers.