Let Christ's love shine through you
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself" ...
- James 2:8 (NKJV)
In the midst of a pandemic, we can be leery of helping another in need. But there are moments to take advantage of, and ways to do so safely. Even in the midst of a cold, January night. If we look carefully, there's always an opportunity to do an act of kindness for someone else.
The snow had finally stopped falling. It was a lot of work shoveling it to form piles along the 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 all the efforts to make a path to the car.
As I sat in my chair reading, I heard the sound of a snowblower. 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 newborn snow from their own driveway.
As I listened, the noise appeared as if it is were 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 the back patio in the dark, cold winter air. I smiled back as to say, "thank you," as I went to the side window for a full view of the driveway. Before my eyes appeared a neatly cleared pavement.
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.
Jesus instructed us to "love our neighbor." Our next-door neighbor was willing to show his family's love by taking extra timeout that night to meet a neighbor's need.
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 a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at (847) 543-8413, or Annetteebudzban@aol.com.