The place in which you live can become one of the greatest spiritual formation teachers of your life if you’ve got eyes to see. Five years ago we bought our home in Seattle and it sits on a cul-de-sac. Living in a circle is hardly a dead end; we’re living life with both our houses and our neighbors facing each other.

We all enjoy our privacy and respect one another’s space but we’re also together in ways that I hadn’t quite experienced before. Five years ago I quickly began to notice that my neighbor’s looks, thoughts, beliefs, habits and quirks are not something for me to judge or ignore; they’re here for me to love, appreciate, protect, and respect. There are sacred moments and places that only increase in worth when they’re shared. Our cul-de-sac provides such a life for which we are forever grateful. A Saturday night shooting hoops turns into a game of H-O-R-S-E. A Sunday afternoon of bringing lunches and lawn chairs out, talking about what’s on the calendar are discussed. A Tuesday evening knock on the door asking for soy sauce, a Thursday morning text, “I forgot to put out my recycling! Can you take care of it for me?” are all there not by happenstance but by design. The seven houses that make up our quiet but lively little street has become a silent mentor in a lifestyle of faithful presence.