Love Thy Neighbor

"The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these," (Mark 12:31 NIV).

We have good neighbors. When we moved in to our house five years ago we had no neighbors because the surrounding houses weren't built yet. Gradually homes were built next to us then across the street and down the street. We met our neighbors usually out in the yard when we or they were working on their lawns.

John is better at neighboring than I am. He is always helping one of them with something.Working on the lawn is a big deal here. There is a matter of competition: who has the best looking lawn. Our first year here our lawn was dreadful. John was still working so he only had weekends to give attention to the lawn. The sod they used was dried up from no watering while the house sat for sale. And we eventually found that the soil underneath was hard clay.

The neighbors shared ideas about the lawns and offered John hope that his lawn would get better. The neighbors share equipment and John is ready with his snowblower to help all the neighbors who look like they are struggling with snow shovels. 

We support the children in the area when they are selling painted rocks or Girl Scout cookies or fruit for the band. It's the neighborly thing to do. Now that the weather is getting better (I hope) we will be outside more often and visit with our neighbors more. It's nice to know your neighbors look out for you and watch your house when you are gone.

Loving your neighbors is one of the greatest commandments we are given. It is only after loving the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your mind and strength. Go forth and do something neighborly like sharing cookies with your neighbor this week.