Love Thy Neighbor

We've all had neighbors. Some you barely know beyond a wave, and some you avoid making eye contact with. And if you're lucky, a few quietly change your life without ever meaning to. When I think about the command "love thy neighbor," my mind goes to real people. Literal neighbors. The ones who share fences, sidewalks, and seasons with you.

My husband an I have been fortunate. We've landed next to some really good ones. But one neighbor in particular, will always hold a special place in our heart. She is a strong woman of faith. A widow. A fighter. The kind of woman who carried more strength than she ever gave herself credit for, and still shows up for life with grit, faith, and a whole lot of humor. She became the grandma we didn't know we needed.

Our first winter living there, she had only moved in a few months after us when a snow and ice storm rolled through. Our heat went out. Roads iced over, and on top of all that, I was sick. High fever. Miserable. We tried to ride it out. Layered clothes, extra blankets. But when the house dropped below 40 degrees, we knew we couldn't stay. The problem? The nearest hotel was about thirty minutes away on a good day, and the roads were still getting worse. That's when my husband said, "well... I guess there's no better time to meet our neighbor." Sure, we'd exchanged names before, and a wave here and there, but nothing more. And yet, without hesitation she opened her door and welcomed two people and two dogs into her home. Y'all we could have been serial killers. But she didn't know that, she just knew we needed help. My husband came back, we packed our bags and headed to her house for a sleepover. When we got there she had her guest bedroom ready. Lamp on. Heated blanket on. And our dogs who are normally anything but calm, curled up like angles. We slept in warmth. She had Motrin, Gatorade... all the things, it's like God knew we'd be there that night. And the next morning, we woke up to a home-cooked breakfast that felt straight out of Cracker Barrel.

That was love. Not flashy, not loud, and not posted anywhere. Just love, lived out. Scripture tells us, "love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39 Treat people with the same care, grace, patience, and dignity you naturally want for yourself. Sometimes that love looks like opening your door. Sometimes it looks like checking in. Sometimes it looks like showing up without being asked. When we moved, we wondered if anyone could ever fill her shoes. And while no one ever will, God has been faithful again. We've been blessed with neighbors who check on us, ask us how we're doing, lend a hand, and care in quiet, consistent ways.

Here's what I've learned about loving your neighbor... it's choosing to live open-handed instead of guarded. It's recognizing that God often places His kindness right next door. You may never face a snowstorm or loose heat, but you will face moments where someone around you needs kindness, a listening ear, compassion, encouragement, or just to be seen. In those moments, love doesn't have to be complicated—it (you) just have to be willing.

SHE Walks in Faith

Pay attention to the people God has placed around you. Ask Him how you can love them well, right where you are. Sometimes the greatest ministry isn’t across the world… it’s across the street.

Here are a few ways you can love your neighbor today.

• send a "thinking of you" text

• ask "how are you" and pause long enough to listen

• hold the door, let someone merge, return the cart

• bring up someone's trash can

• compliment effort, not just appearance

• share what you have—time, resources, food, encouragement

• say thank you to service workers and mean it

🩷 Prayer

God, thank You for the people You place in our lives, especially the ones who show us Your love through their actions. Help me to be that kind of neighbor. Open, generous, and willing to show up when it matters most. Amen.