Is busyness keeping you from being the neighbor God has called you to be?

In week three of our Words of Life series on neighboring, Bernie Dake and Major Sandra Pawar tackle one of the biggest barriers we all face: a busy life. Between work, family, responsibilities, and constant distractions, it can feel nearly impossible to slow down and engage with the people right outside our door.

Looking at the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, this episode challenges us to examine our priorities. Are we truly too busy, or have we allowed busyness to become an excuse? What would it look like to create space for people in the middle of our everyday routines?

Major Sandra offers practical and refreshing insight. Neighboring does not require adding more to your schedule. It is about inviting others into what you are already doing. Whether it is a simple wave while taking out the trash, a quick conversation in the driveway, or opening your home in small ways, these moments can become meaningful opportunities for connection and witness.

You will also hear a powerful story from Salvation Army officers in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who stepped into a growing housing crisis in their community. Faced with rising rent and increasing poverty, they responded with compassion and action, helping dozens of families find stable housing. Their story is a reminder that loving your neighbor sometimes means meeting urgent, tangible needs and walking alongside people in difficult seasons.

This episode will encourage you to rethink your schedule, reexamine your priorities, and rediscover how God can use your everyday life to impact others.

👉 Don’t forget: You can also download our free devotional, “Mind, Body & Soul,” designed to help strengthen your walk with God through Scripture, prayer, and practical habits.

 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

The book, THE ART OF NEIGHBORING on Amazon

The book, 1,000 CUPS OF TEA on Amazon

Is busyness keeping you from being the neighbor God has called you to be?
In week three of our Words of Life series on neighboring, Bernie Dake and Major Sandra Pawar tackle one of the biggest barriers we all face: a busy life. Between work, family, responsibilities, and constant distractions, it can feel nearly impossible to slow down and engage with the people right outside our door.
Looking at the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, this episode challenges us to examine our priorities. Are we truly too busy, or have we allowed busyness to become an excuse? What would it look like to create space for people in the middle of our everyday routines?
Major Sandra offers practical and refreshing insight. Neighboring does not require adding more to your schedule. It is about inviting others into what you are already doing. Whether it is a simple wave while taking out the trash, a quick conversation in the driveway, or opening your home in small ways, these moments can become meaningful opportunities for connection and witness.
You will also hear a powerful story from Salvation Army officers in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who stepped into a growing housing crisis in their community. Faced with rising rent and increasing poverty, they responded with compassion and action, helping dozens of families find stable housing. Their story is a reminder that loving your neighbor sometimes means meeting urgent, tangible needs and walking alongside people in difficult seasons.
This episode will encourage you to rethink your schedule, reexamine your priorities, and rediscover how God can use your everyday life to impact others.
👉 Don&rsquo;t forget: You can also download our free devotional, &ldquo;Mind, Body &amp; Soul,&rdquo; designed to help strengthen your walk with God through Scripture, prayer, and practical habits.
&nbsp;<a href="https://mailchi.mp/uss.salvationarmy.org/newsletter-english?utm_campaign=button_list_FREEDEVOTIONAL&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=later-linkinbio&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawMnu6tleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4OXh1cG0yNEtZMGpGNThXAR5bBS8f1CAKk8XiI1CRLlPNf-eeuICEGbiBntf1FLfV3Q2M6G6n1HZFDVgUXQ_aem_kyc3621sgL4wT9UdFCrpTQ">CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Art-Neighboring-Building-Genuine-Relationships/dp/080101459X/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=187377533978&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XO67Xshu5vB6ZCMy7bVYraoGchgRratcd9rNNsc06GxQEf5unk3SSpH9jo7dFJk90CGhIjPE11PFK0Ki97xmKu3th5VCQYx8FPphTbaq8NG06_W-E-3xapx13SribUcPwKrx2pQRAz5xGLooziZrNy3BHjmA8kwFolc1qUErUPl-7UpRLQtzGzVEgt3jmD7lXMmdSFEGAiMa3hxJQ-2YyrDztMD4Bcu6rzdcHaeLj88.d0LHv1_TJbANRAgkILyxwIl3evl5Ew8FHLQDFNeeG5c&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=779644457030&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;hvlocphy=9010941&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=13972141896241985598--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=13972141896241985598&amp;hvtargid=kwd-315407267259&amp;hydadcr=17804_13794518_2332388&amp;keywords=the+art+of+neighboring&amp;mcid=a1170a0c4fa5316a90297e9e70aaa14c&amp;qid=1774444424&amp;sr=8-1">The book, THE ART OF NEIGHBORING on Amazon</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/1000-Cups-Tea-Field-Guide/dp/1735604224">The book, 1,000 CUPS OF TEA on Amazon</a>

WORDS OF LIFE is a 15-minute, weekly show from The Salvation Army. It features interviews and powerful testimonies, engaging conversations about topics impacting the church today, and deep dive Bible studies. The show is available on your favorite podcast store and is airing on more than 200 radio stations around the world.

Words of Life: Weekly Christian Podcast with Testimonies & Teachings from the Salvation Army

WORDS OF LIFE is a 15-minute, weekly show from The Salvation Army. It features interviews and powerful testimonies, engaging conversations about topics impacting the church today, and deep dive Bible studies. The show is available on your favorite podcast store and is airing on more than 200 radio stations around the world.

Are You Too Busy to Be a Good Neighbor?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/a5ec29cf-23d4-4dd0-b7cc-b41800e2345e/transcript