The Front Porch

Have you ever thought about how amazing a front porch is? In our city we have many new neighborhoods that are honing in on the importance of front porches. Apparently back before WWII front porches were more commonplace than they are today. Families communed on the front porch and caught up on the day. Ma and Pa sat outside sipping on their sweet tea (okay, lemonade if you’re from the North) while Sally and Jimmie romped around in the yard.

Front porches were a place of serene beauty and slowing down. They were a place of reflection and of rejuvenation. It seems as though they were the epitome of summertime commercials and all things good.

And yet, do you know what one of my favorite parts of a front porch is? Sure I love the slowed down pace with family and catching up on the day; but I absolutely adore the ‘community’ that happens when you make yourself available on your front porch.

In our home we don’t even officially have a front porch. It’s really more like a side terrace (which is a glorified way of saying that we set up a little patio spot on our driveway). Whatever you want to call it; when we’re out in that spot, we are able to watch the world go by. We say hi to neighbors passing through, and old friends stop to catch up on the day. It truly has become a community.

More than anything; it has become ‘community’ that wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t stepped outside of our home to make ourselves available.

I fear that in our busy lifestyles today, we often miss the community of the ‘front porch’. I can’t tell you the number of times that I have probably missed opportunities to be a shoulder or a listening ear to a friend. I cringe to think of the many smiles I have missed or chances to live out Christ that I have passed up. And yet, I have resolved to make a conscious effort in this area.

My dear friend Laurie has recently begun a new blog that the Lord has laid on her heart. It is called, “The View from the Front Porch”. It is a blog that encourages women to look out at the world from their front porches. It reminds us to slow down a bit and to recognize the beauty in our community. Most importantly, it helps us to remember our role as believers in this world.

We are not meant to simply consume ourselves with our own lives…rather; God has asked us care for our neighbors, to carry their burdens and to love one another. What is the view like from your front porch?

What are your stories of “sharing life”?

I’d love to hear!

Please comment below OR better yet, please post your stories and challenges on your own blog and leave us the link in the comments section.

God has graciously blessed us with brothers and sisters to navigate life with. Are you living life pent up in your own 4 walls or are you enjoying the community out on your front porch?

Please see the “Front Porch” link in the right sidebar.