Find ways to show your neighbor you love them
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself"…James 2:8 (NKJV)
The snow had finally stopped falling. My husband worked hard as he shoveled and pushed snow to form piles along our driveway, clearing a path.
Later that evening, the snow started falling again - fast and furious. Soon the neatly shoveled drive was again covered with layers of new fallen snow. The bright, white snowflakes quickly replaced my husband's efforts to make a path to our car.
As I sat in my chair reading, I heard the sound of a snow blower. I wondered, where is that coming from? Since our driveways are side by side, oftentimes it is hard to distinguish if the echoes are coming from our driveway or our neighbor's. However, I figured it was just our next door neighbor clearing the path of snow from their own driveway.
As I listened, the noise appeared as if it is was getting closer and closer. Approaching the kitchen sink to rinse off my dish, my upward glance caught the view of a shadow from the window facing me. A closer look revealed my neighbor's face beaming a huge smile of delight at me as I watched him blowing snow from our back patio in the dark, cold winter air.
I smiled back to say thank you as I went to the side window for a full view of our drive. Before my eyes appeared a neatly cleared drive for my husband's return home that night.
As I pondered over the sight, I couldn't get over how considerate he was to do this for my husband, and with a delightful heart, as well. He saw a need and fulfilled it.
Jesus instructed us to "love our neighbor." Our next door neighbor was willing to show us his family's love by taking extra time that night to meet our need.
Whether it be person in your neighborhood, or one who sits next to you at school or work, why not let Christ's love shine through you as you do something special to love your neighbor.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She is available to speak at your church or group, or coach you individually. She can be contacted at (847) 543-8413; P.O. Box 532 Grayslake, IL 60030; or Annetteebudzban@aol.com.