“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14

I know that I have written about loving your neighbor, but considering God’s two greatest commandments to us are loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves, I don’t think it can be written about too much. 

When I wrote about “What Loving Your Neighbor Looks Like,”  the “neighbor” I referred to wasn’t one of my physical neighbors but this week it is.

"My" plan for Wednesday was to finish up writing some devotions for my book. When I woke up, I felt God impress on my heart to go visit one of my neighbors to see how she was doing and ask her if there was any way I could pray for her. Mind you, I don’t know this neighbor very well. She has only been in her house around 3 years. I haven’t ever really sat with her and talked for an extended time. 

Of course, I’m thinking, “Lord, are you sure? I have a lot to get done today.” I felt like God tell, me, “Yes, you need to go see her. Trust me and I will take care of your day.” So, after my morning quiet time, I get on my computer and start writing. When I was at a stopping point, I felt as if it was the right time to go knock on my neighbor’s door. 

Her husband answered and she was home. Honestly,  I was kind of hoping I was wrong and that no one would answer the door and I could say, “Well God, I tried.”  However, she welcomed me in and I said, “You may think I am crazy but I felt like God tell me that I needed to come check on you to see how you are doing and ask you if there is any way I can pray for you.”

She grabbed my hands and said, “Yes, for my father.” Her elderly father is very sick and she her husband will be leaving to visit him in another country in a few weeks. She poured out her heart about what was going on with him. I told her, “You aren’t going to believe this, but the devotion that I finished for my book before I came over here had to do with caring for an aging parent and how many times they have a hard time showing gratitude. This is confirmation that I know I am doing God’s will and it was no coincidence that I felt prompted by God to come see you “

When I woke up that morning, my focus was about all I needed to get done for my book. The thought of me going to a neighbor’s house that I really don’t know to see how I could pray for her, wasn’t on my radar. In fact, taking over an hour break to visit with her and her husband should have caused me anxiety but it didn’t. After visiting with her I had a peace I can't describe. I  had no doubt that God was going to bless my hands for being obedient to His promptings. Not to mention, what a blessing to get to know my neighbors as well as hear about their deep faith.

Not only did I finish writing the 7 devotions that had been sitting on my desk top for 2 weeks, but God also allowed me the time to knit one of the patterns needed as well. In my “humanness,” what I saw as impossible became possible because I trusted God with my day. 

How can you step out in faith and love a neighbor this week? It may be like me and be one in close proximity, but it can also be someone that you don’t know that is in need of  extra kindness or prayers for a difficult time. 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for not letting my own insecurities stop me from knocking on someone’s door this week. I lift up those whose hearts you may be tapping to step out in boldness to reach out to someone that needs to feel God’s love. Fill them up so that they can pour You out to give someone hope that You do hear their prayers. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen. 

This month’s memory verse is, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 Not only will we be imprinting it on our heart, but we can also be living it out in our lives.

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