When my eldest child was 15 months old, we moved into the apartment where we now live. He is fourteen this year, and our second child—born after we settled here—is now nine. After coming to know the truth and beginning to attend Zion, I often wondered how I might reflect God’s glory in my daily life. I decided to start with something simple: greeting our neighbors warmly and sincerely.
So, my children and I began offering cheerful greetings to residents we encountered in the elevator. Over the years, this small practice began to bear fruit. People would remark, “Your children aren’t like most these days,” and some even began greeting us first. Not long ago, an elderly neighbor, touched by our consistent kindness, gave the kids some pocket money as a gesture of gratitude. On Sabbaths and Third-day services, when neighbors asked where we had been, it opened natural opportunities to talk about our church. I was thankful that something as simple as a kind greeting could soften hearts and create moments to share the truth.
Now that my eldest is entering adolescence, I’m especially grateful that—even with a bit of shyness—he still remembers to greet others. It may seem like a small effort, but I trust that Heavenly Father and Mother are pleased. I hope that one day, one of our neighbors, touched by these daily exchanges, might express a desire to visit our church with us.