It’s a God’s Sunday morning, a beautiful day in the neighborhood; won’t you be my neighbor?
In Matthew 22:39 it says, “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. When I was growing up in my grandparent’s neighborhood the neighbors acted like family. When someone was in need, they came together to fill it. When there was a death, we went from door to door taking up a donation that went to the family. When summer came all the children in the neighborhood were in the street playing instead of being stuck in the house. When somebody did anything wrong, whoever house they were in front of had the approval to discipline them and then they got in trouble again once they got home. When one neighbor was sick, they were never alone or even had to worry about dinner because it was cooked and sent to them. There were no robberies or break-ins; there were no gang violence and disrespectful children because folk came together. You know the saying it takes a village.
Now, we barely get to know our neighbors. We don’t stop and take the time to ask their name or even speak when we pass them outside. We try to run in the house because we think they will want to borrow something. We don’t know when they are going through because we don’t care and we surely don’t ask. Shouldn’t we be our brother’s keeper? If the 2nd commandment is to love thy neighbor as thyself, God must have meant it. (Matthew 19:19; Mark 12:31) But we don’t. We are Christians but inky keep the commandments that we think we should and not abide by all. I’m guilty of not getting to know my neighbors but I’m working to get better. Shouldn’t we all strive to do a little better? I’m not saying throw a party for the entire neighborhood or hold the next neighborhood meeting but I’m saying start with a smile or a wave.
Take the time to check on your elderly neighbors because for some it’s the only companionship they receive. Speak to your neighbor if you see them out or smile at them because sometimes a smile can brighten somebody’s day. Don’t be quick to run the child off that always end up at your house, you may not know that he/she is hungry and they always show up because they know that you’ll offer to feed them. Take a moment to look at your neighbors. Just step out on a sunny day when most are out washing cars or cutting their yard. Look around and see the blessing that God had placed around you. You never know, you could meet the best friends you’ll ever have if you stop running in the house.
We should start back the neighborhood block parties and fellowshipping and the neighborhood watch. We should start back waving at one another or being approachable enough for somebody to come to ask to borrow a cup of sugar or a few eggs. We should start caring for and loving our neighbors again. I know that times are not like they use to be but not all people are bad. You won’t see the good in them if you’re already looking for the bad. If you’ve already judged them to be outcasts how can you see them as the good people they are. Don’t be too quick to hate on the neighbors because one day they may not be the one in need because it could be you.
Leviticus 19:18 says “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord”
Lakisha, the Author 