Before we left Georgia, our neighbor called me over to his John Deere tractor and wished us well on our move. During this conversation he said something that he intended as a compliment but was received as anything but.
He said, “I’m gonna miss you guys. You were good neighbors. You never bothered me and I never even new you were here” (my paraphrase). He went on to tell me how he lives alone (he’s in his 70’s) and was recently in an accident. He also told me that, “these last few months have been pretty tough.” But at least he had a neighbor that never bothered him…
I’m sick about that. How could we live next to a man… a lonely man… a man in need… and live in such a way that he didn’t even know we were there.
Sure we were busy and traveled more than we’ve ever traveled in our lives. Sure we were only there for one year. Sure I thought he was a grumpy old man who didn’t need anybody (based on one conversation I had with him). Sure I was busy working on getting Walls Down church started. Yea… all those “sure’s” sound like a giant gas bubble exploding when I hear him say, “You never bothered me. I never even knew you were here.”
The distinctive mark of a follower of Christ is how we love our neighbors… I didn’t do so well here.
I’m sorry.
paulpetersonlive.com 
I totally identify with what you are saying.
But, our spirit is still hosted within the body, which is finite. Is it possible that you could have helped him more? Sure. But something else would have been sacrificed to do so. And just maybe your “not bothering him” was the very best way you could have helped him.
What I do know is that, like me, you expect quite a bit from yourself. I also know you will use this learning, as you already have, to better yourself and how you serve God.
God gifted you with that conversation. And I think if you let your former neighbor know that, it would mean a lot to him.
Your honesty & sharing is always appreciated. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself, too.
Peace,
Joey
http://www.daddybrain.wordpress.com
OW OW OW OW OW OW OUCH!! You’re right, that one really hurts.
Ouch. It took 2 years and a tragic accident at my neighbor’s house before I even knew the names of the others in our cul-de-sac. You’re in good company my friend.