Listen:
“Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you.” (Proverbs 3:29)
Reflect:
How are you doing with your neighbors who live beside you? Maybe we should change the verse and put it in a positive light…Do good to your neighbor, who lives trustingly beside you.
When we moved from Bratislava, Slovakia to Beverly, Massachusetts we were committed to reaching out to our neighborhood. Our house and yard needed a lot of TLC, so when COVID hit, we used that time to renovate inside and out. As difficult as COVID was, it was a time we met many of our neighbors.
There is one family in our neighborhood who chooses to stay distant from the rest of us. Our efforts to extend the hand of friendship was and is still rejected. Loving our neighbor in this situation is a big challenge.
On the other hand we have many wonderful neighbors. We have had opportunities to have BBQ’s, bake cookies, share plants, lend tools, and even help with small jobs around others houses. It is a good thing to plan good to those who live beside you.
The temptation to “plan harm” is such an automatic response when treated badly. We need God to gently remind us of His grace towards us which helps us to love others. For now we pray and keep our eyes open for opportunities to “do good” to those neighbors who are difficult.
Thanks be to God “who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” Ephesians 3:20
Prayer of Response:
Lord help us each to be awake to the opportunities you give to do good to those who live beside us. We trust You to open doors that seem shut tight. Thank you for the grace and mercy You give to each of us which frees us to love others.
Questions to Ponder:
- What is your relationship like with those who live beside you?
- Is there someway you can change a relationship that needs changing?
- How can you personally do good to those who live beside you
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale (Breathe in): Lord have mercy
Exhale (Breathe out): Show me how to love my neighbor
Inhale (Breathe in): Thank you Jesus
Exhale (Breathe out): For Your unconditional love for me
—Submitted by Stephanie Edsall
Stephanie and her husband Mike currently live in Beverly Massachusetts, and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. Stephanie is currently serving in her church with the Spiritual Listening Team, and the Prayer Team. She volunteers weekly at Open Door Immigration Services helping immigrants with applications for citizenship. She enjoys baking, reading, gardening, hiking, biking, kayaking, traveling and pretty much any other activity that involves being outdoors.
Feature photo by Nguyễn Tân on Unsplash