Learning to Love Our Neighbors

I don’t know about everyone else, but learning to love my neighbors has been a lifelong work in progress for me. It’s been the old two steps forward and one step back. Sometimes it’s even been one step forward and two steps back.

If I were to add up all of the neighbors I’ve had over the years, I’m sure it would amount to several hundred. Throughout those years I have learned dozens of lessons in my quest to obey this second greatest command. Here are a few of them.

We are the project, not our neighbors. I used to think that, when it came to practicing the love of God, I had arrived. All I had to do was just pour out this amazing love on my neighbors.

What I know now is that I stink at loving my neighbors as myself. I am by nature selfish and self-centered. The reality is that God has brought my neighbors – the good, the bad and the ugly neighbors – into my life to chisel away at that hardened heart of mine. My neighbors are gifts to me from God.

It matters to our neighbors how our home and yard look…a lot. Want to bless your neighbors? Then raise their property values by valuing your own property. Keep your home painted and your yard mowed, even if you rent. Include some beautiful plants in your front yard landscape. Your neighbors will thank you for it.

Never allow your dog to bark outside. Can’t control your dog’s barking? Then seek help from a dog trainer. Along with dog barking, all loud continuous noises emanating from your home communicate this message: “I don’t care that you are irritated.”

Use whatever excuse you can to get outside. I have automatic sprinklers. But I use a hose and sprinkler to water my lawn. That forces me to go outside every day. My wife and I also walk our neighborhood for exercise. I know one family who eat dinner on their front porch when weather allows.

Learn your neighbors’ names. You know you’re making progress when you know your neighbors on a last name basis.

Do good deeds for your neighbors. Dog sit your neighbor’s dog while they’re on vacation. Shovel their sidewalk after winter storms. Take them soup when they’re sick.

Talk, talk, talk with your neighbors. If you’re too busy to spend time talking with your neighbors, then you’re too busy.

Tell your neighbors you’re praying for them when tragedy strikes…and then do it. Tragedy and trying times eventually hit every home. This is your opportunity to bring comfort and the gospel into their lives.

In short, to love your neighbor, just be the amazing neighbor you’d like to have. You’ll not only please God and your neighbors, you surround yourself with love and friendship for the rest of the time you live where you are, and maybe even for the rest of your life.