Do something special to help someone in need
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself"
- James 2:8 (NKJV)
The snow started falling fast and furious, and soon the drive was covered. The snowflakes sparkled like diamonds and made for a lovely picture-perfect winter scene.
The problem was I was home alone, and the thought of snow removal from the driveway was not exactly a task I was ready to take on.
As time went by, I wasn't quite sure how I was going to get the job done. I sat in my chair pondering my dilemma when I heard the sound of something scraping the pavement.
I figured it was just the plow trucks going down the road, but it didn't sound like it was coming from the street. It was hard to distinguish if the echoes were coming from our driveway or our neighbor's. However, I figured it was just our neighbor clearing his own driveway.
As I listened, the noise appeared to get closer and closer. Approaching the kitchen window, my upward glance caught the view of a shadow from the window. A closer look revealed my neighbor's face beaming at me as he plowed snow in the frigid air.
I smiled back as a thank you, then went to the side window for a full view of my neatly cleared driveway.
As I pondered over the sight, I couldn't get over how considerate he was to do this, and with a delightful heart as well. He saw a need and fulfilled it. To me, that kindness was warmth on a cold night.
Jesus instructed us to "love our neighbor." My next door neighbor was willing to show his family's love by taking extra time out that night to meet my need.
When was the last time you saw a need and met it? It doesn't have to be a huge task or cost anything other than some time and effort. There are many small, creative ways to meet a need.
You can take an extra plate of dinner to the lonely person you know. You can offer to pick up something at the store for a friend who is ill. Last week, I shopped for a recently widowed friend who lives down the street.
Whether it be a 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 an author, speaker, life coach, nurse and Bible teacher. Contact her for information on her Writing for Fun or Profit conference in February. Annettee is available to speak to your church group, business, civic organization or be your personal life coach. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.