Most of us live fairly close to other people. Some of them we may like, some we may not get along with, but we are told by Jesus to love them all!
What are some practical ways to love our neighbors, whether we are friends with them or not?
Be friendly– Say “hi,” give a “wave” when you see them, or take a minute to stop and chat
Share– Make them cookies or share a meal with them.
Pray – Pray specifically for your neighbors by name. Pray that they would know Christ by knowing you, and pray for the opportunity to develop neighborhood relationships.
Help – Do a neighbor a favor. Carry your neighbor’s trash cans back to her house, carpool to work together, or take the neighbor kids to school on cold or inclement days. Help carry in groceries, rake leaves, or shovel snow. Scrape the frost off the windshield or help with a home improvement project. Or simply listen…listen long and hear your neighbor’s heart.
Eat – Invite a neighbor to eat with you. Have a big party or a small gathering, go out for dinner or stay in for ice cream. There’s no better time to use your good china, but don’t hesitate to use your fanciest paper plates. Your guests will sense if you’re stressed, so relax and just enjoy their presence.
Host – Invite a neighbor into your home. I host an Open House once or twice a year and enjoy the efficiency of meeting many neighbors at once. Other times, I invite one neighbor over for a glass of tea on the front porch.
Saying goodbye to the friends in our neighborhood was hard, but I’ve already got a list of new neighbors hanging on my refrigerator and a plan for a fall Open House. Loving our neighbor doesn’t have to be weird, just be yourself and let spiritual conversations flow from natural relationships.
