Loving Your Neighbor

2 dozen cookies, 2 loaves of bread and 1/2 half dozen cookies all thrown in my face…..

In Luke 10:27 God tells us to love our neighbor as thyself.  In the following verses about the Good Samaritan we determine our neighbor includes, and extends, beyond our physical neighbor.

God doesn’t state to love our neighbor with conditions such as: if your neighbor is likable, lovable, friendly, or kind.  The command is simple, to love your neighbor.  It is such an eloquent verse, yet to put it into action can sometimes be rather difficult.

I myself struggle with loving my neighbor.  Let’s just say I haven’t even gotten to the “L” yet.  If L.O.V.E.  were a game like H.O.R.S.E. I would have been out of the game and sitting on the bench a long time ago.

A little over a year ago my neighbor moved in and her dog attacked my kids and my niece’s pygmy goat three times, eventually killing her.  After being more than cordial with her in this situation the dog owner has somehow felt wronged, and has become extremely offended, and vengeful.  This became apparent with another incident.  I won’t go into great detail but my children (I felt) were in danger because of her actions.  With regard to the safety of my children I did behave in a manner I am not proud of.  However, if I feel my kids are in danger I am like an angry mamma bear.

I have offered my apologies for whatever I have done to offend her.  (One thing that really offended her was my lab Remi, barked at her.)   I have tried to show her that I would like to patch things up and move forward.  I have taken her homemade cookies, homemade breads, farm fresh eggs, only to have them basically thrown in my face. (I consider the front part of my barn hosting broken eggs that I gifted her from my chickens, being thrown in my face.)

Yet, I am still called to love her.  She is my neighbor.  God doesn’t say love your neighbor if they are nice to you and easily lovable.  He simply tells us to love our neighbor.  In fact, in Matthew 5:44 He tells us to Love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.   I will honestly tell you I don’t love this woman.  I have compassion for the hardships she must have endured in life.  Moreover, I don’t wish her any ill will but, that isn’t what God commanded either.

I believe the kind of love God speaks of can only come from total submission to Him.  After all, the Lord still loved the people who hung him on the cross to die.  And while he was hanging there dying, he prayed for their forgiveness.

Hard to do? Yes.  But I believe God can grow me and change my heart if I ask.  I believe I can win the game of L.O.V.E. if you will.  Thankfully I don’t believe the Lord is ready to bench me yet.  How about you? Do you have a neighbor or enemy that you feel is impossible to love?  Get started on your journey with me now.

L – Leave your ego at the door and get on your knees today!

O – Overcome your fears and obstacles through Christ Jesus.  Forgive, let go and submit your life to Him.

V – Victory in Christ will be found in your heart if you submit to Him.

E - Eventually the love for your neighbor will flow abundantly from your heart.