Home: Love Your Neighbor

Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." ~Mark 12:29-31

In the hustle and bustle of today's 24/7 internet connectivity, we sometimes forget to look up from our cell phones and screens to notice and participate in the life that surrounds our homes.  We prefer to connect with the comfortable and passive  - friends and family on Facebook, for instance.  We desire to love and serve, but we tend to prefer to do it when it's safe, convenient or comfortable.

Let me encourage you to be brave and step out in faith.  God has placed you in community for such a time as this.  That older widow across the street?  Invite her for a cup of tea.  The young family on the right?  Bake cookies and bring them over with a smile. Take the time to love them. Let the love of the Lord empower you to love those that live next door. Dear daughter, notice your neighbors and actively participate in the community that God has placed you within.  Don't mind your own business!  Say hello over the fence.  Be a friend.

Three weeks ago, my neighbor, Roy, noticed that our mutual neighbor, Melody, hadn't taken her trash cans back up to the house after pickup.  This was not her usual habit, so he brought the cans up for her and knocked to see if she was okay.  He discovered that she had fallen during the night and needed an ambulance.  We were so grateful that he had checked on her!  She's back home now and healing well.  Yesterday, I saw Scott from two doors down mowing her yard. It is such a beautiful experience to see people living out, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  It is a privilege and a blessing to be a part of community.

Daughter, do you know at least five of your neighbors? Do you know their names and have their phone numbers? What is happening in each of their lives? How can you pray for them?  Introduce yourself. Show interest. Connect intentionally.  Love your neighbor as yourself.

Grateful for grace,

Yvonne Ferlita has been married for nearly twenty-five years and is mother to four children ages 22, 20, 16 and 11 years old. She is a follower of Jesus and gratefully relies on His grace. Having overcome perfectionism, she has embraced the imperfect excellence found in the ordinary life God has given her. Yvonne has homeschooled her children since 1998 and has helped them enjoy their unique gifts, while overcoming various learning and life challenges. Her therapy is writing, crocheting, swimming and laughing. She and her family reside in Brandon, Florida surrounded by four orphaned cats and a lovely, but bossy, labrador retriever. She blogs to encourage at Not Perfect - Just Ordinary.