Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Love Thy Neighbor

Posted on By jennifer

It’s time for Five Minute Friday (writing freely and unedited for five minutes…..which is still a struggle) – but I have to admit when I saw today’s prompt, my first thought was this is the perfect week to pass.  Sigh.  But, in an attempt to be honest and perhaps more transparent than I tend to be, I am joining the great group of writers of FMF.  Check them all out here.  Today’s prompt: neighbor.

Galatians 5:14  “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

GO  At least weekly – almost daily – I am reminded (by the soft nudge of the Holy Spirit) that I am to love my neighbor.  It is not that I dislike neighbor but I am to do more than just be neighborly…with a wave from the car as I retreat into the garage or a quick hello if we happen to retrieve the mail at the same time.  Loving my neighbor is even more than occasionally watering the plants when they are on vacation.  God wants me to sacrifice myself…to put myself out…to really invite my neighbor into my world.  But it’s hard.  Every effort is resisted and, if I am honest, another attempt just does not seem worth it.  But there is that persistent nudging.

I am not told to love my neighbor….unless it is too hard.  In fact, none of God’s commands (give sacrificially, evangelize the world, offer forgiveness….) come with an exception clause – for when it’s just too hard.  Loving my neighbor is no different.

STOP

Hopefully, putting these thoughts into a post will make for some accountability.  On Tuesday I will share some ways to try and reach your neighbors – because it is impossible to share the love of Christ with them until we first show our love for them.

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Comments (3)

  1. Glad you decided to join the FMF community today and share your thoughts on loving your neighbor. I agree, it's difficult at times, but God calls us to do it and enables us when we don't feel like we can. Blessings!

  2. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this. It's true- following God's commands is not easy, but he still calls us to make an effort an it does call for sacrifice sometimes. I struggle to know how to love my neighbours well too.

  3. Oh boy. You've got it there. We should love whether it is hard or not. Jesus didn't stay away from the hard. Great post! I guess one of the best things we can do for loving our neighbor is to be willing to just do it and see what God does as we step forward in our efforts.
    FMF visitor. 🙂 – #68

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