Neighboring amidst Interruption: A Word of Farewell from GNE Program Director, Rev. Maddie Johnson
Over the weekend, I preached my last sermon at my church about one of my favorite characters in Scripture - Mary, the mother of Jesus. In preparation for Christmas, we looked closer at the text about the announcement from the angel, Gabriel, that Mary would carry the Son of the Most High.
What strikes me about this story is that Mary was in a season of expectation. At that time, her marriage contract was already signed, meaning she was engaged to a carpenter named Joseph. For the next year and a half or so, she would spend her time living in her parent’s home, working to support her family, and simply waiting to start her married life with Joseph. Then, her life is dramatically interrupted with the news that she would have a son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, named Jesus.
What inspires me about Mary’s story is that, amidst this interruption, she leans into the power of choice and community. First, even in a patriarchal world where women rarely had agency, Gabriel outlined what would come to the one who would carry Jesus, and Mary boldly made her choice, by saying: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 NRSV) Second, after consenting to this unexpected life, she ran to be in community with her relative, Elizabeth, who miraculously conceived, even in her old age. Mary chose to be with someone who would empathize and hold space for the full range of emotions she might be feeling.
Like Mary, many of us have felt the jolt of an interruption to the life we expected to lead. Sometimes these are pleasant surprises, but sometimes they are painful and beyond our control. A few months ago, my life experienced an interruption more like the latter. My engagement ended overnight, halting the life I had been building for years.
Consciously or not, stories like Mary’s have prompted me forward in the wake of this interruption, and I too have leaned into the power of choice and community. It started small with little choices like who to tell, where to eat, and when to walk my dog. It then led to bigger choices like selling my house, moving home to be closer to family, and in turn, leaving my position at The Neighboring Movement. Amidst it all, I have mobilized the people who make me feel whole and found places where I can heal.
As for what’s next, I am not sure - which has felt frustrating because my time at The Neighboring Movement has inspired me to want to build meaningful connections with my neighbors and become more invested in my community.
But this has led me to wonder what neighboring looks like when you’re stuck waiting, in a temporary season, in the midst of transition, or not able to land just yet. Is the work of neighboring only meant for those who are settled, grounded, or living the life they expected to lead? This is a leading question - because the obvious response is “of course not!” If we spend our whole lives waiting for the “right time” to neighbor, we would never neighbor, because life is filled with unexpected interruptions.
And while I don’t know fully what neighboring amidst interruption looks like, one of the things I have learned in my time at the Neighboring Movement is that neighboring is a way of life. While a lot of our work emphasizes building relationships in a particular community, ultimately, being a neighbor - someone who is authentic and intentional in making connections with the gifted people and places around you - transcends whatever situation or place you find yourself in.
So if you find yourself in a place like myself, don’t wait for things to be perfect to start the work of neighboring. Don’t discount the power of making choices, both big and small, to follow what brings you joy. Don’t discount the power of being intentional with brief moments spent with strangers, acquaintances, or friends. Don’t discount the power of holding space for someone in the midst of uncertainty. Don’t discount the power of seeing the giftedness in a place or a person. Don’t discount the power of neighboring amidst interruption.
It has been a joy to lead our faith-based programming for the last year and a half. I have learned so much from the incredible leaders of faith across the country who are embodying this work of neighboring in contextual and impactful ways. A huge thank you to everyone at The Neighboring Movement for holding space for me as I have navigated this interruption and supporting me in this difficult choice to leave. Even though my time as Program Director is done, I look forward to being a part of the Neighboring Movement virtual community while I figure out what is next. Until then, happy neighboring (even, amidst interruption)!
