Loving Your Neighbor - The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional

Loving Your Neighbor

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Mark 12:31

“What if Jesus actually meant that we should love our literal neighbor?”

This was the question and challenge presented by our pastor one Sunday morning several years ago, as we studied this passage of Scripture from Mark 12. As my husband and I drove home in silence, we knew this was a challenge we would want to approach together.

We had already lived in our neighborhood for several years when we felt compelled to get to know and love those around us—we had never made a big effort to reach out before. We decided to start by saying hello and spending time with our neighbors when we would see them outside. We then invited them to a neighborhood party and then other barbecues when the weather was nice. It was awkward at first, but over time, it became easier to do.

What started as a challenge to extend Christ’s love toward others by loving our neighbor as ourselves has benefited us more than we could have ever known. Our neighbors are some of the kindest and most generous people we know, and they have taken an interest in us and our kids—attending piano recitals and baseball games, celebrating with us and inviting us into their homes and lives.

As I think back on how we were first challenged years ago, I realize that I had no idea that we’d receive such blessing by loving our neighbors. They have become some of our greatest supporters and friends.

Reaching out to people around us who are strangers can be hard, especially when we need to take the initiative to start the relationship. But we never know what God may do through us until we’re willing to open ourselves up to the possibility of friendship with those around us, including our neighbors.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Greet or start a conversation with a neighbor you do not know very well. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on the conversation; just get to know this person a bit better and see where it leads.