Neighborly News System

One of my favorite things about living in a small town is the superb news system.

Of course we read our local newspaper just like we did when we lived in a big city. But our rural news service is just as reliable, and a bushel more interesting.

Frieda hears a siren and rushes to the window. “It’s goin’ south, Henry. Call Dallas and see what’s come over the scanner.”
           

Henry comes back from his phone call and says, “There’s a fire out back of Kelly’s Market.”

“Oh, no!” shrieks Frieda, “that’s where Lila works. I’d better call the prayer chain, the bereavement dinner committee, and the pastor.”

 

 

 

By that evening, four casseroles, two salads—one green, one carrot/raisin—and three cobblers jostle for position on Lila’s kitchen counter. Her husband, Chuck, is exhausted from answering the phone and the doorbell all day, explaining to friends from the church that Lila is not hurt. “It was only a grease fire on the stove in the lunchroom, because Charlie Dickens turned his back on his bacon while it was frying. But thanks for the food—we’ll return your container at church on Sunday.”

I said it was reliable and interesting. I never said it was accurate. But I’ll trade it any day for the huge malls, scores of restaurants and every movie star in the big city. None of them can compare with people who love their neighbors.

And based on Jesus’ thoughts about neighborliness, I have a feeling that our news system makes Him right proud.

Have you lived in both a big city and a small town? How are the neighbors in your neck of the woods?