Contributed by Michelle Chuah • Apr 16, 2024
Lord, I need You, Oh God how I need You! Truly, truly I am swarmed many times by the worldly challenges that come my way at home and with my neighbour. My family have been living in our home for the 24th year now. Even from the beginning we have an unfriendly pre-believer neighbour who lives in a corner house next to us.
My husband and I have experienced the cold shoulder when we wished or greeted this couple and their son. Even neighbours who stay nearby used to complain about their arrogant behaviour. On top of that they had a fierce Rottweiler which had even bitten my husband’s finger which resulted in 3 stitches on his middle finger as he was trying to calm the dog over the fence but it had pushed its mouth between the fence and caught his finger! With much wisdom from God we decided not to report the matter to the authorities but requested they be responsible for the medical bill. They were not too happy but I had gently explained that in order for us to claim our medical insurance we need to report the matter to the authorities and it might result in the dog being put to sleep.
Matters didn’t get better as early in the morning, one public holiday they decided to do renovation / repairs to their bathroom which is next to our living hall. Neighbours started complaining of the high pitched sound from the drill and I was requested by neighbours to call on them to stop the activity as it was a public holiday. Instead of listening to my request, I was scolded for being troublesome! I must say I lost my cool and the noise was so deafening that I picked up the phone and called the town council to request for their intervention. The officer could hear the deafening sound of the drill as I was on the phone. Was I right in doing so? It didn’t improve our relationship as neighbours for sure.
Recently, I was hanging out my clothes in front of the porch and suddenly I felt water sprayed on me and I looked up to find out that it was from the neighbour who was watering her plants which were hanging on the fence we share. So I asked the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom to speak to the neighbour as I did not want my clothes to become wet. I called her gently and told her that her water spray had made me wet and I fear my clothes will get wet too. Instead of an apology, she once again snapped at me to go live in a bungalow! I kept quiet and heard her complaining loudly to her husband. Unfortunately, this was not the end of the problem as after a week, the husband put up partitioning boards up to the roof of their porch along the fence. Such a minor incident can create such a big outcome. The painters painted the porch and paint splattered onto our driveway. Thank God we were out so the car was spared from the paint.
We continue to live our lives among many neighbours who see the things happening for the past two decades. We hope we are doing what is necessary for the Peace of God to prevail in this neighbourhood. May we continue to be the salt and light in this neighbourhood.