Are you blessed with young children in your neighborhood?  Do they think that you are a “welcoming” or a “grumpy” neighbor?  Welcoming neighbors have the opportunity to be blessed over and over by the kids.  And if you are a welcoming neighbor, you have realized the great opportunities that you have to reach out to young families in your neighborhood for the sake of the Kingdom! 

If you are grumpy neighbor, chances are you have had some legitimate experiences which make you grumpy!  Perhaps the neighborhood kids have continuously trampled on your grass, or perhaps a ball has arrived in your living room “special delivery” off the bat of the neighbor girl.  Those are annoying things and they can make you grumpy!

But, I would like to challenge you to change your perspective.  Think eternal!  What is more important?  A gorgeous manicured lawn that is protected at all costs or a lawn that has a worn path or two and that has an occasional child waiting for you with a smile! 

A smile!  That is really the first step to being a welcoming neighbor.  Let your smile open the door to relationships with the neighbor kids and their parents.  It may have eternal consequences!