In the fall of 2013 God began to pepper me with verses about “loving your neighbor”. It was in my BSF Bible study. It popped up in a Christian fiction book I was reading. It seemed as if everywhere I turned, God was telling me to “love my neighbor”, but I didn’t know why.
We were getting ready to move 8 hours back to North Carolina from Kentucky. And in my mind, I thought our new neighbors should be loving me! Surely someone would see our moving truck and come over and say hello, maybe bring us a plate of cookies…Right?
In mid-January 2014, we packed up our stuff and returned to North Carolina.
The day our moving truck arrived at our rental home our new neighbor called the police on us. Seriously.
I wish I were lying.
The moving truck was encroaching on her driveway and she felt she could not get out.
She was very, very upset.
After the sheriff’s deputy left, I immediately knew why God had been peppering me with those particular verses.
He had been preparing ME to love MY neighbor.
No matter what.
I half-joked with our moving men that it was going to take more than a plate of cookies to win her over.
Knowing without a doubt that God wanted me to love on this woman, once we were unpacked enough to find my bread pan, I baked her a loaf of banana chocolate chip bread.
I prayed during the week, begged God to soften my heart toward her, and whispered a prayer for courage right before I went over. I really didn’t want to be cussed out.
After I introduced myself I apologized for inconveniencing her earlier in the week. She never told me her name, but she did share that she had 3 boys – 2 of which were about my boys’ ages.
It was definitely weird.
Over the course of the next few months our boys became good friends and one day God allowed me a glimpse into her life and her struggles.
Our house in Kentucky finally sold after 9 months, and we were able to purchase a home here in Charlotte and moved again this past December.
We’ve met a few of our neighbors and regularly wave at several, but we long to really know them.
God’s got me back at square one, praying about how I can love my neighbors.
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So when I came across the opportunity to be a member of the Launch Team for How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird
by Amy Lively I jumped at the chance! (You can find our more about Amy at her blog.)
This book has challenged me, encouraged me, and convicted me.
Amy’s book will help you navigate what’s weird. She shares tips and ideas for getting to know our neighbors and grounds it all in scripture. She shares personal stories of how she’s tried to love her neighbors and challenges us to use the gifts God has given us to love ours.
Amy knows your excuses, she’s used them to, and she addresses each one in her book.
Six things you can do with the book How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird:
- Get yourself a copy How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird
and read the book. - Try one of several ideas in Amy’s book to start loving your neighbor.
- Read a chapter each week with your small group and discuss the questions at the end of each chapter.
- Share the book with a friend! Pray together and brainstorm about how you can love the people in your neighborhood(s).
- Offer this book as a study during your Bible study/discipleship classes at church.
- Host an open house for the women in your neighborhood and start your very own neighborhood café.
Your neighbors need your prayers. If you’re not ready yet to knock on their door, will you start praying for them?
Disclosure: As a member of the launch team for How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird, I received a book to read and review. All opinions shared are my own.
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Answering the Call for Biblical Hospitality
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