Proverbs 27:10 NKJV

[10] Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

I love spending time with my family. Unfortunately, most of them live an hour or more away. Although it shouldn't, the distance does put a bit of a damper on making routine visits. We speak regularly, celebrate victories and share prayer requests and struggles as needed, but I don't trouble them with the mundane, day-to-day hassles of life.

We are blessed with a small, tight-knit circle of church friends we consider family. Those are our "neighbors nearby" that are available at a moment's notice. Their proximity in location and relationship makes them privy to a lot of our daily struggles. These few are part of the inner circle of accountability and encouragement. Our church "neighbors" are part of God's plan and help us to fulfill His divine purpose.